July 4 saw record crowds attend the Plandome Association's 76th annual picnic on the Village Green. An estimated 1300 adults and children, out of a total village population of 1780, turned out to participate in one of the local area's most popular events.

But one individual was absent. Plandome's Mayor Brian J. Vincent, who always volunteers to run the lemonade and soft drink table, was home recuperating from recent hip surgery. He was missing but not forgotten.

When Brian was in the hospital earlier that week, the Fire Department was wondering what to send him. Flowers wouldn't do for a World War II navy flier with many combat missions in the Pacific under his belt, and a basket of fruit seemed a little too tame for a former Plandome Fire Department chief officer and current front line fire truck engineer. The situation was compounded by the fact that the man who has given so much to his beloved Plandome for many decades never sought anything for himself and would be embarrassed by what he would consider "unnecessary attention."

The dilemma was solved when someone related to Chief George Hawes the fact that Brian was concerned about the new American flag his wife, Pam, had bought for July 4 while he was in the hospital. He thought it might be too big for the old flagpole in the side yard of their house. Chief Hawes made a decision to pass the hat to erect a new 25-foot pole on the front lawn of Brian and Pam's home with the department making up the difference.The solution seemed ideal. How could a man who had given so much to his country, (including a brother, Kieran, who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously) object to a display of pure Americana?

That's when the excitement started (all without Brian's knowledge). News travels fast in a community as closely knit as Plandome. Everybody wanted to get into the act. Even former residents now living in Florida were calling up to be included. Finally, to bring some order to the outpouring of affection for Brian, it was decided to limit contributions to the organizations in the village, rather than individuals. Every group was involved, including the Fire Department, the Plandome Field and Marine Club, Plandome Boy Scout Troop 71, the Plandome Woman's Club, the Plandome Sunfish Club. The Veterans of Manhasset American Legion Post #304 provided a huge American flag and an MIA/POW flag in his honor. The trustees of the Village provided a newly commissioned official Mayor's flag in his honor and formally voted to declare Independence Day, July 4, 1998 Brian J. Vincent Day in Plandome.

At noon on the 4th, a contingent from the above groups walked from the Green to Brian's home on Middle Drive and made the formal presentation to Brian in the presence of Pam and his grandchildren. It was a touching moment, right out of a Frank Capra movie.

Brian graciously acknowledged the tribute and citation of his many accomplishments, read by Fire Commissioner Scott Wilson in his customary fashion. He said "This heartfelt expression is typical of Plandome. But all the things you said I've done couldn't have happened without the help and support of the residents of the Village. We're blessed with so many good people here in Plandome." The consensus that day was that of all these good people he mentioned, Brian himself is the best.