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Mostly Cloudy Valley Stream honors its fallen
Salvatore Spinicchia wrote “95” on his left hand before the start of Monday’s Memorial Day parade. This year’s grand marshal wanted to remember that he was there to honor the 95 people from Valley Stream who have died serving their country.
“It’s not about me,” he said. “It’s about those who made the supreme sacrifice. I represent 95 fallen that can’t be with us today.”
Spinicchia, 83, is a World War II and Korean War veteran. He served in the Marine Corps and is a member of Valley Stream VFW Post 1790 and American Legion Post 854. He is also a former chief of the Valley Stream Fire Department.
This year’s parade was hosted by the VFW, which alternates years with the American Legion. Post 1790 Commander Joe Marando said that Spinicchia was the obvious choice. “He was very humble about it,” Marando said. “He wanted it, but he felt he didn’t deserve it. But I felt — and everybody else felt — that he did deserve it.”
Despite steamy temperatures Monday morning, the parade drew one of its largest crowds in recent years. People lined the parade route from Wheeler Avenue School all the way to the Village Green, with some of the larger crowds in the downtown shopping district and near the parade’s end. Many were waving miniature American flags handed out that morning by parade organizers.
Rich Dikeman, a 50-year resident of Valley Stream, said he never misses the parade. He was in the Army National Guard for 30 years. “I like to show patriotic support and remember the military,” he said.
Elaine Chavanne, who has lived in the village for 51 years, came to the parade with her family, including her husband, who was in the Army. They watched from Rockaway Avenue. One of her grandsons marched with the Fire Department. “He just became a lieutenant,” said Chavanne. “He’s got a white hat now.”
Another grandson, Andrew Laserinko, 13, was in the patriotic spirit, wearing a red shirt and blue shorts. He said he likes to see the classic cars in the parade, but also wants to celebrate the flag in honor of those who have sacrificed for the country.
