A red, white and blue affair

Local Girl Scouts showed their patriotism as they marched down Valley Stream Boulevard in the village’s annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday morning.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Jerry Hahn, left, was the grand marshal, and was escorted by VFW Post 1790 Commander Joe Marando.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Members of the American Legion and VFW color guard marched down Rockaway Avenue to lead Valley Stream’s annual Memorial Day Parade.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Florence Facibene, left, and Anna Glorioso say they rarely miss a Memorial Day Parade.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

The Green Hornets football league was among numerous youth groups participating in Monday morning’s parade.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

The Valley Stream Junior Fire Department marched down Valley Stream Boulevard near the south review stand.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

John LaBarbera, of the Sons of the American Legion, paid tribute at the monument on the Village Green.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

James Milne, of the South High School band, played taps.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

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See a Memorial Day photo gallery here.

The string of good weather for Valley Stream’s Memorial Day parades continued on Monday, as the sun shone brightly and temperatures climbed into the 80s, giving residents and visitors a chance to honor those who made the supreme sacrifice.

Valley Stream’s parade is not just a tradition for locals. Joanne Giberti, who lives in the village, welcomed her daughter and two grandchildren from Suffolk County, and together they staked out a spot on Valley Stream Boulevard, near the end of the parade route, to watch. Giberti’s twin grandchildren, Olivia and Kyle, both 5, proudly waved the miniature American flags that were handed out.

“They love it,” Giberti said. “They can’t want to come every year.”

And, she added, they are finally old enough to understand the true meaning of Memorial Day. She attends the parade every year to honor those who died fighting for the U.S., and also to see her husband march with the Knights of Columbus. Two days earlier, she had attended a memorial service in front of Central High School.

Devika McKeon had also invited relatives to watch the parade. They took a spot on Rockaway Avenue, near the reviewing stand, where the crowd was the largest. McKeon said she has been attending the parade for several years, and although this was the first year her daughter was not marching with the school band, the event is a tradition.

“I like it. It’s fun,” she said. “It’s a nice day. What more can you ask for?”

The parade was led by veterans from American Legion Post 854 and VFW Post 1790. Grand Marshal Jerry Hahn, who fought in Vietnam, was cheered loudly as he rode in a red convertible. He organized the parade for more than 30 years, but has handed the reins to Marty Kielawa.

“Today we are here not to mourn, but to remember, praise and honor those who made the supreme sacrifice,” Hahn said. “My 30-something years of running this parade hasn’t been an endeavor, it’s been a labor of love.”

John Faust, commander of the American Legion, said he was pleased to see Hahn recognized for his years of service to the legion and as parade chairman. Faust added that he was happy with the turnout for the parade.