On Memorial Day New Hyde Park Never Forgets

Suozzi: "A time to focus on what matters"

By Margaret Whitely

New Hyde Park traditionally holds two Memorial Parades each year-one sponsored by the New Hyde Park VFW and American Legion on the Saturday before Memorial Day, the other sponsored by the Garden City Park VFW on Monday, the actual Memorial Day.

New Hyde Park never forgets its veterans on Memorial Day...be it in the village or in the unincorporated North Hempstead Town section, or in Garden City Park, New Hyde Park never forgets. At the Saturday parade members of the New Hyde Park Village Board includes Mayor Daniel Petruccio, Deputy Mayor Robert Lofaro, New York State Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell, village trustee Lawrence Montreuil and Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello, of New Hyde Park.

Joining with the Garden City Park VFW members Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello, VFW Vice Commander Louis Dombol, North Hempstead Town Councilman Angelo Ferrara, Town Clerk Michelle Schimel, New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce President Florence Lisanti, Grand Marshal and VFW Commander George Popowitz, Pastor of Gloria Dei Eric Olsen, Reno and Connie Staffa, the "movers and shakers" of the Garden City Park VFW, town councilman Anthony D'Urso, Holy Spirit Pastor Father Anthony Stanganelli and North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman.

This year, for the first time, the New Hyde Park parade had as its keynote speaker, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi. He said, "On this beautiful day it is a time to remember all the veterans who made the supreme sacrifice so that we can celebrate, 'the roses of life.' It is a time to focus on what matters. Think back to what we felt was important on September 10, 2001 and how different we felt about what we thought was important on September 11, 2001. Let's not forget those who still feel the effects of September 11 and for those who have lost loved ones and are still losing them today."

Suozzi concluded by saying, "Not everyone has such a wonderful parade as this one in New Hyde Park and I am proud to be here to remember Memorial Day with you."

At the Garden City Park parade North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman was one of the guest speakers and he said he was proud to be at the parade and in a community such as Garden City Park where they never forget their veterans. He added, "I thank them all for serving and it's nice to know that this community never forgets."

In both communities there was a wreath laying service at the veteran's plaque and then, at both services, taps was played as well by a student member of the band.