Memorial Day Preview

Break out your red, white and blue

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There is much more to Memorial Day than just a day off from school or work, note the commanders of the Seaford and Wantagh American Legion posts. Each community will be hosting a Memorial Day parade on Monday, with thousands of residents expected to line the streets.

“It’s a patriotic parade,” said Mark Greaker, commander of American Legion Post 1273, which is organizing Wantagh’s parade. “It’s about honoring all the men and women who have given their lives for our country.”

All participants will gather at Wantagh High School-Middle School complex, and the parade steps off at 10 a.m. It heads south on Wantagh Avenue, then east on Park Avenue, where it ends at the American Legion Hall. A memorial service follows, which includes speeches from Legion members and elected officials, the placing of memorial wreathes and a rifle salute.

The winners of the American Legion’s essay contest — one from each grade at Wantagh Middle School — have also been invited to march in the parade and read their essays at the ceremony. The subject of the contest was patriotism.

“It’s nice to get the kids involved so they understand what Memorial Day means,” Greaker said. “It’s not just another Monday off.”

The parade will be led by the American Legion. There will be three bands, including the Legion’s pipe band, the Wantagh High School Marching Band, and the Apache Band, which leads the Wantagh Fire Department at the end of the parade.

In between, there will be representatives from numerous organizations, players on youth sports leagues, as well as Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

“The importance of having the Boy Scouts participate in the Memorial Day parades and ceremonies is so that they understand that it is not just a day about barbecues and parties,” said Tom Cleary, district chairman of the Pequott District, which includes troops from Seaford and Wantagh. “The true purpose of the day is to pay tribute to those men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the defense of our country.”

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