Memorial Day Parades, Commemorations

The unofficial start of summer gets underway Friday as Americans are expected to travel in record numbers over the long Memorial Day weekend.

The American Automobile Association said travelers will  fill roadways, rail stations and airports, despite high gas prices.

Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it the day served to honor the dead in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. The day is observed in a variety of ways, with parades and services at military cemeteries.

In Huntington, officials plan a wreath ceremony for Sunday at 9 a.m. at Huntington Veterans Plaza, 100 Main St., on the front lawn of Town Hall. The public is invited to join the commemoration,  with  wreaths to be placed at the World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam, and Women’s Veteran Monument. and to honor our troops in the Middle East; Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. The Church of Saint Patrick’s Youth Choir and Adult Chorale will perform patriotic songs. Refreshments will follow the ceremony.

On Friday,  at the Huntington Senior Center, a Memorial Day commemoration will run from 11 a.m. until noon, with DJ Bob until 3 p.m.

The center will commemorate Memorial Day with a Color Guard, St. Anthony’s Celtic Friars Pipe Band, DJ Bob and many senior veterans will wear their military hats or uniform shirts. Guest speaker is Paul Tropeano, a 94-year-old Army veteran residing at Huntington Hills, who  served in World War II. He  was with the 544 Heavy Maintenance Ordnance Field Company and landed in Sainte Mere Eglise one month after the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944.

Several parades are scheduled around Huntington on Monday:

Huntington

Hosted by: Nathan Hale VFW Post #1469 & American Legion Post #360

Route: North on New York Ave. from Big H Shopping Center, west on West Carver St., north on Green St., east on Main St. (past reviewing stand) to Stewart Ave.

11 a.m.

Centerport

Hosted by: Centerport Fire Department

Route: Harrison Dr. to Park Cir.

10:30 AM

Commack/Elwood

Hosted by: Elwood-Commack VFW Post #9263

Route: Larkfield Rd. & Jericho Tpke. east on Jericho Tpke. to junction at Veterans Hwy.

10 a.m.

East Northport

Hosted by: Knights of Columbus

Route: Clay Pitts Rd. & Larkfield Rd., north to Pulaski Rd. to John Walsh Memorial Park adjacent to East Northport Library.

12:15 PM

Greenlawn

Hosted by: Greenlawn Fire Department

Route: East Maple Rd., south on Broadway to Memorial Park, Pulaski Rd. & Broadway

9 a.m.

Melville

Memorial Service

Hosted by: Melville Fire Department

Memorial Service honoring fallen firefighters, servicemen and women.

Melville Fire Department, 531 Sweet Hollow Rd., Melville

10 a.m.

Northport

Hosted by: Northport American Legion Post #694

Route: North end of Laurel Ave. down Main St. to Northport Harbor, Village Park.

10 a.m.

 

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