Iraq Vet. named parade marshal

Robert Kipp will lead the annual Memorial Day parade through the streets of Rockville Centre on Monday.

Kipp served in the Army for seven years, including two tours of duty in Iraq with the Fourth Infantry Division in 2003-04 and 2005-06, and left as a captain. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

“It’s a great honor,” Kipp said, adding of parade officials, “I tried to persuade them that there’s probably men or women that were more deserving than myself.”

Kipp lives in the village with his wife, Elizabeth, and is a member of the American Legion, which organizes the parade each year. He is vice commander of Rockville Centre Post 303. At 10 a.m. on Monday, he will lead marchers from South Side High School west on Shepherd Street, then south on Long Beach Road to the Recreation Center. At 11 a.m. there will be a remembrance ceremony at the memorial park on the Rec Center grounds.

The 35-year-old Kipp works in construction as a project supervisor. He recently completed work on the Wyandanch Rising redevelopment project, and is starting work as the construction manager of the Hudson Yards project in New York City.

He acknowledged that most veterans his age are not American Legion members. “It’s the legacy, the history and the mission of the American Legion,” Kipp said, explaining what drew him to the organization. “I’m also a life member of the VFW. I think it’s important for veterans to connect and continue with community outreach.”

He said he understands why many veterans his age don’t join organizations like the Legion. Many are completing school, getting started on their careers, having families and other big life changes. “It’s difficult,” he said. “But as the veteran population continues to shrink, it’s important to keep in contact.”

Kipp is pursuing his own educational goals, working on a master’s degree in construction management at Columbia University.