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Memorial Day Parades - A Memorable Salute in Smithtown, St. James
Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 11:31PM By Phil Forte
SMITHTOWN – Hundreds of people gathered along Main Street in Smithtown on Monday at noon for the annual Knights of Columbus Memorial Day Parade. From Singer Lane to Town Hall, crowds of singles, families, and veterans alike cheered the marching bands, antique roadsters and trucks, while taking in the smell of barbequed hamburgers, hotdogs and sausages.
“It was a great parade,” said Tony LaVecchia, a veteran and proud member of the Knights of Columbus. “I’ve never seen so many people at one parade. The community was quite supportive, too.”
Cheers engulfed Main Street as veterans; followed by police, fire trucks and marching bands from Smithtown and Hauppauge school districts paraded down Main Street. Cub scouts, karate teams and baton twirlers were also greeted with cheers as they headed towards Town Hall to the reviewing stand.
The festivities ended with a solemn 21-gun salute following a rendition of Taps on a bugle, honoring the nations flag and those who died fighting in the nation’s wars.
“It turned out pretty well,” said Nick Albanese, Commander of the American Legion, James Ely Miller Post 833 in Smithtown.
“The remembrance this day brings makes you think about a lot.”
“It’s a reminder of the sacrifices made in the past,” added Larry Cervellino, a veteran of two overseas tours as an aircraft carrier pilot, who, when asked what his favorite part of the parade was, described that instead of marching on foot, he was excited to be riding in a vintage car. “I was fortunate enough to get a ride in one of the antique automobiles, a 1956 Packard coupe.”
Earlier in the day, on Woodlawn and Lake Avenue, VFW Post 395 in St. James held their own parade. After concluding their march and memorial ceremony at St. James Elementary School, members of the VFW Post 395 and members of the community headed back to the post where tents were set up for a barbeque-fueled lunch consisting of hot dogs, hamburgers, vegetables an array of toppings, soda, juice, water and beer, too.
“That’s what it’s all about right there,” said Chairman Lee Dike, pointing to a couple paying homage to the American flag. “It’s about remembering those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and to appreciate those who came before us.”
Commander of the VFW Post 395 Frank Todaro added, “It’s good to see the veterans receiving recognition from the public. The memorial service leads the course, though.
Reader Comments (1)
the main street parade was awesome!!! great coverage!!!