Syosset residents were forced to cringe under canopies, peer through car windows, or just accept getting soaked while watching the annual Syosset Memorial Day Parade take place down Jackson Avenue in a torrential downpour on Monday, May 25.

The ominous lightning and pouring rain convinced many to stay home, but, nevertheless, there still were notable conglomerations of umbrella-toting spectators ¬ flags in hand ¬ determined to see the procession through, many to spot their kids who were marching.

However, some of these residents, witnessing what the parade participants trudged through, said afterward that conditions were severe enough that the event should have been delayed or canceled by the host organization, the Syosset VFW, which sponsors the parade yearly with the Syosset American Legion.

Participants and bystanders quickly became drenched, and were wary of lightning. Several groups elected not to march. The rain seemed to cause more disorder when four motorists accidentally evaded traffic control and ended up moving head-long into the parade route, where the embarrassed drivers were forced to sit. The local police were responsible for controlling the traffic.

VFW officials defended their stance, stating that the emergence of the rain was terrible timing. "We had just started to march when it started coming down," explained Robert Ellwood, VFW commander.

"It's very hard to delay [the parade], and how would we know if it would stop raining?" asked Gus Scuteri, VFW spokesperson and parade organizer.

Ellwood said the situation would really have been dangerous if the parade had been canceled. If that had happened, he said, hundreds of kids would have been stranded at the starting point, the Variety Pre-Schooler's Workshop campus, while family members waited to meet them at the finish, the American Legion headquarters.

Scuteri emphasized that the children had the final decision whether to brave the elements. "Anybody who didn't want to march didn't have to," he said.

Nevertheless, some believe the weather should have prevented everyone from marching. "They should have canceled the parade," said disappointed Syosset resident Rocky Barone. "This is the worst parade Syosset's ever had...They had cars coming down the parade route!"

The Memorial Day Parade has never been canceled, said Scuteri, who said that he "has learned" from the experience. Scuteri regretted the lapse in traffic control and said that so long as he continued organizing the parade, "It won't happen again."

Despite its flaws, many residents still managed to enjoy the cornucopia of marchers the cavalcade had to offer. The most unique addition of the year was the Nassau Suffolk Horseman's Association of Rough Riders, whose uniformed members traveled upon steeds led by a Theodore Roosevelt impersonator.

There were a few other novel touches, as well as the parade perennials. Participants included the VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Syosset Fire Department, Faith Lutheran Church, Faith Nursery, Community Church, 4-H, Syosset-Jericho PAL Twirlers, Saint Edward's Twirlers, Boy Scouts Troop #170, Syosset Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Syosset Little League Baseball, Syosset Softball League, and the Syosset Youth Athletic Council.

Bands from Syosset High School, H.B. Thompson Middle School, St. Edward's and South Woods Middle School spouted cheerful music that played contrast to the sounds of rolling thunder.

Despite the storm, the rain could not wash away the true meaning of Memorial Day, which was more than evident as Scuteri led a respectful ceremony for the nation's fallen heroes which included a gun salute, flag-raising, moment of silence, reading of the dead and renditions of the national anthem and God Bless America.