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Overcast The veterans that protect our freedoms
Cedarhurst-Lawrence communities celebrate Memorial Day
As the Memorial Day ceremony at Andrew J. Parise Cedarhurst Park drew to a close, Rev. Paul Rahilly, pastor of St. Joachim’s R.C. Church, reminded those in attendance that it is the soldier who protects the freedoms we hold dear.
“It is not the reporter who gives us freedom of the press, it is the veteran,” Rev. Rahilly, who also noted, “That it is not the campus organizer who gives the freedom of assembly, it is the veteran.”
The reverend’s words rang clear with the audience who had first viewed the Cedarhurst-Lawrence Community Memorial Day Parade on Central Avenue, then made their way to the park.
Village of Cedarhurst Mayor Andrew Parise presided over the ceremony in the park that recognized veterans of past wars, including Parise, who fought in World War II, and Marine Staff Sgt. David Kocaj, who has served multiple tours during this nation’s latest war in the Middle East.
Military personnel were not the only acknowledged as those who died in the attacks on Sept. 11 were also remembered. The meaning of Memorial Day was not lost on 7-year-old Nathaniel Redillo, a Hewlett Elementary School student and member of Cub Scout Pack 20 of the Five Towns.
“We celebrate the soldiers who fought for us and protected us,” said Redillo, who along with his fellow Cub Scouts listened to Sheldon Marcus, a member of Lawrence Cedarhurst American Legion Post 339 tell the youngsters that former President Teddy Roosevelt was a strong supporter of scouting in America.
The Cub Scout pack and the Girl Scout Troop 754 marched in the 1.1-mile long parade that also featured several veterans, the New York City Police Marching Band, fire trucks from the Lawrence Cedarhurst, Inwood and Meadowmere fire departments, Atlantic Beach Rescue, the Lawrence High School Marching Band, Peninsula Kiwanis, Five Towns Community Chest, Cedarhurst Little League and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 3.
“It was good, I like the fire trucks, there were big,” said 9-year-old Maria Flores, a student at Number Five School. “I liked the marching bands,” said 12-year-old Aren Belim, who was visiting from the city. “I liked the police,” said 4-year-old Macario Flores, who attends Number Four School.
