Memorial Weekend 2011! This is a highly anticipated holiday by everyone for multiple reasons. Varying from having a day off of work and school, to the usual annual opening of public parks, pools and beaches, but of greatest importance is the recognition that this holiday proudly expresses to our heroes of times past and present who served in the military. Since May of 1865 Memorial Day (also known as Decoration Day) has appropriately brought about celebratory events and festivities, this year it carried on in a big way here in North Hempstead. The young boys from Westbury Pack 233 and Carle Place Pack 305 on Saturday paid their respects and together replaced tattered flags on the graves of veterans at the Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, afterwards everyone congregated for refreshments at the VFW Hall opposite of the Westbury post office.
The acclaimed spectacle of last years family, fun and fireworks added to the early packed North Hempstead Beach Park for its Memorial Day Commemoration. Carle Place Cub Scouts Jack Williamson and Nicholas Gillespie of Pack 305 opened the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance. Participants in this celebration included Nassau County Police Department Pipe band, Wheatley Schools Senior, soon Brown University student, Christina Ames singing the National Anthem, the Port Washington Police Dept, the Volunteer Fire Department of Port Washington, US Marine Corps Color Guard 2nd Battalion; 25 Regiment, The U.S. Volunteers, Inc. 11th Regiment and many others. Supervisor Kaiman spoke introducing all officials and guests, thanking everyone for attending and most of all the veterans for serving our country honorably. "The weather is beautiful, the beach is packed, the music is great but most all the overwhelming support shown here for our veterans and those that continue to fight to maintain our liberties is what this celebration is all about" said Councilwoman Russell.
Both the Westbury and Carle Place Memorial Day Parade/Ceremony took place on Monday. Councilwoman Viviana Russell addressed the large crowd in Westbury noting her personal admiration, respect and pride for those who have made it their life’s work to make the country we live in a more safe and happy place. Amongst other benefits, Councilwoman Russell in Carle Place noted the opportunity the holiday gives to educate the youngest of the generations of the far reaching benefits made possible by those in the service.
Pic # 3- Councilwoman Viviana Russell, Nassau County Legislator Robert Troiano and School Board Member Leslie Davis
Pic #4- School Board Member Leslie Davis, Village Trustee Joan Boes, Legislator Robert Troiano, Village Trustee Steven L. Corte, Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro, Trustee William B. Wise, Father Ralph Sommers and Joseph Pascarella, Quartermaster VFW Post 945
Pic #5- George Lewis, PCC VR; Al Piscitelli, Councilwoman Viviana Russell, Commander Corporal P1, American Legion
Pic #6- Cub Scout Pack #305