Valley Stream to remember America’s fallen soldiers

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Throughout Valley Stream, local civic groups are preparing to commemorate Memorial Day with a variety of ceremonies and events this weekend.

The festivities will begin on Saturday at 11 a.m., when the Central High School Alumni Association is scheduled to gather outside the school to remember former students who lost their lives in war.

Then, on Sunday, the American Legion Post No. 854 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1790 will hold a joint memorial service at 11 a.m. at the American Legion. Later that day, residents can stop by the Pagan Fletcher Restoration on Hendrickson Avenue to see the Historical Society’s new exhibit documenting Valley Streamers who were killed in war. Valerie Esposito, a historical society trustee, said that the exhibit will feature a slideshow of all of the names of fallen Valley Streamers who perished in war, and Sculptor John Urgo will create sculptures of the fallen soldiers.

And starting at 8:45 a.m. on Monday, the Valley Stream Fire Department will hold its own memorial service at its Rockaway Parkway headquarter before the village Memorial Day parade begins at 9:30.

At that time, Korean War veteran and former village trustee Jack Sharkey will lead his fellow veterans in the parade as the grand marshal. He said he was “very proud” that his fellow Legionnaires and VFW compatriots chose him to be the grand marshal this year.

The parade will conclude at Veterans’ Memorial Plaza, where the village will hold its ceremony with speeches by village officials and veterans.

Mayor Ed Fare said that the annual parade “is a wonderful community event that brings everyone together — not for a barbecue or a sale at the mall — but to recognize and honor all those who give their lives for our country.”

Village Deputy Clerk James Hunter, who is also a member of the Sons of the American Legion, added that it is a way “to remember and pay respect to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

The American Legion will hold a barbecue following the ceremony at 12 p.m.