John F. Keitz, commander of the Manhasset Post 304, American Legion and Anthony W. Buzzitta, parade chairman, have announced the Parade Order and schedule for the traditional Manhasset Memorial Day Parade, and for the attendant memorial services. All Manhasset residents, their families and friends are invited to join the legion in this remembrance of the great sacrifices of American heroes. The theme of the parade this year, "Manhasset Remembers our Servicemen and Servicewomen," is a reminder that while Memorial Day is meant to honor all of our deceased veterans, we wish to remember in particular this year the servicemen and women from Manhasset. In addition to those honored at our Gold Star Memorial and the 21 Manhasset veterans that died in the past year, we want to remember the young men and women from Manhasset who are currently serving on active duty around the world to preserve our freedom. We honor the members of the 301st Area Support Group, 77th Regional Readiness Command from Fort Totten, New York, which Post 304, and indeed, the entire Manhasset community, adopted while they are deployed in Iraq last year. We are pleased that a contingent from the 301st will lead the Manhasset Memorial Day Parade.

The legion will place American flags on the graves of veterans in local cemeteries and will participate with other legion posts to decorate veterans' graves at Pinelawn National Cemetery, in preparation for the Memorial Day ceremonies. Memorial wreaths will also be placed at the five memorial monuments in Manhasset.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 28, at the Church of St. Mary, 1300 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset at 10:30 a.m. in honor of our war dead. All are urged to attend and join with the legion in remembrance of the great sacrifice of these citizen soldiers.

On Memorial Day, Monday May 29, the parade will start promptly at 10 a.m. There are over 40 organizations scheduled to march including six bands and more than 30 pieces of fire apparatus and other vehicles.

The route of the parade will be along Plandome Road from Plandome Court to Memorial Place, with excellent public viewing along the entire length. Those planning to march in the parade are expected to be present and ready to march in their designated assembly areas no later than 9:30 a.m.

The First Division, which assembles on Plandome Court South, facing west, includes the Nassau County Police Department Motorcycle escort; the 301st Area Support Group, the U.S. Army 319th Statue of Liberty Band; the American Legion - Manhasset Post 304, the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 304, and the Women's Auxiliary Unit; the Veterans of Foreign Wars; legion vehicles and the Poppy Queen. First Vice Commander, Anthony W. Buzzitta, will be the division commander.

The Second Division, which assembles on Plandome Court, facing south, includes the Inisfada Gaelic Pipe Band; the Boy Scouts of America - Troops 97 and 71; the Cub Scout Packs 3 and 101; the Girl Scouts of America - Cadette/Senior Troops 502, 517, and 537; Junior Troops 503, 504, 513, 522, 533, 539, 542, and 553; Brownie Troops 520, 524, 526, 529, 531, 532, 538, 549 and 557: Daisy Troops 508, 561 and 563; Manhasset-Great Neck EOC; and Adventures in Learning. Vice Commander Anthony Bianco is the division commander.

The Third Division, which meets on Bourndale Road North, facing west at the junction with Plandome Road, includes the Manhasset High School Marching Band; the Manhasset Police Athletic League; Manhasset Baseball League; The Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations and the North Riding Chapter/NSDAR. The division commander is Frederick Grosselfinger, who will be wearing his World War II Army uniform that still fits!

The Fourth Division will assemble on Bourndale Road North facing west (starting at the junction with Winthrope Road) includes the Manhattan College Pipe Band; the Tower Foundation; Church of Our Savior Lutheran Nursery School; the North Shore Nursery School; the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce; The Kiwanis Club; The Rotary Club; Knights of Columbus; the North Shore Right to Life Committee; the Guild of St. Francis Hospital, the Manhasset Soccer Club and the Coalition for a Safer Manhasset. The division commander will be William Martin.

The Fifth Division, which forms on Heights Road facing west, consists of the Plandome Fire Department.

The Sixth Division, which assembles on Summit Drive facing east, provides the parade climax - the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department with the Nassau County Police Department Pipe Band led by the commissioners of the fire district.

The parade will conclude in formation at Memorial Field, where a special area will be designated for public viewing of the memorial services. The program will begin with the National Anthem, played by the Manhasset High School Band under the direction of Randy Knudsen and Sung by Mrs. Catherine Lau.

The Reverend David Lowry, Pastor of Christ Episcopal Church, will give the Invocation. The Poppy Queen, Miss Johanna Lovecchio of Manhasset High School, will then be introduced.

The presentation of the floral tributes by the public will follow after which Chaplain William G. Martin of Post 304 will read the Roll Call of the honored dead, accompanied by drummer, Mr. Eshin Jolley of the Manhasset High School Band. Taps will be rendered by Mr. John Kenneally and Mr Steven Cucharo, both with the Manhasset High School Band, and SFC Gregory Hall and SSgt. Sam Hunte, both of the 319th Statue of Liberty Band.

Vice Commander Ronald G. Linn will present high school achievement awards to Mr. Joseph Accardi, St. Mary's High School and to Daniel Fendt of Manhasset High School. The Boys' State Scholarships will be awarded to Robert O'Connell, Manhasset BSA Troop #97, to Anthony Dedousis and Michael Gotimer, both representing Manhasset High School; and to Michael Spigner, representing BSA Troop #71.

Rita Eredics, president of the Manhasset Auxiliary 304, will preside over the girls' awards. Mrs. Marylyn Furlong, Americanism chairlady, will present school awards to Kristin Calogero of Manhasset High School and Katherine Bungarz from St. Mary's High School. Mrs. Doris Bezkor, girl's state chairlady, will present the Girl's State Award to Miss Johanna Lovecchio of Manhasset High School.

After brief remarks by Commander Keitz, the Reverend Nicholas Zientarski, assistant pastor, St. Mary's Church, will give the Benediction. To close the service, Catherine Lau will lead the audience in singing God Bless America accompanied by the U.S. Army 319th Statue of Liberty Band directed by CWO Stephen Joseph, band master.