Merrick's Memorial Day parade set for Monday

As is the longstanding tradition, hundreds of people representing dozens of local organizations will line up Monday for Merrick’s Memorial Day parade, weather permitting. Members of Merrick American Legion Post 1282, fire departments, school marching bands, civic organizations, houses of worship, Girl and Boy Scouts and sports teams will assemble with elected leaders at 8:45 a.m. at Veterans Plaza, between Brooklyn and Merrick avenues. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. and proceed north on Merrick Avenue to Lee Avenue.

Parade Grand Marshal Frank DePergola will lead the procession. DePergola fought in World War II, serving as a staff sergeant in an infantry company in Europe. He landed 10 days after D-Day at Utah Beach in Normandy, France, and he saw battle in northern France, the Ardennes, the Rhineland and Central Europe, earning a Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal and a Purple Heart for wounds suffered in Luxembourg.

Today DePergola has three daughters, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He recently celebrated his 90th birthday.