Memorial Day commemorates United States military personnel who sacrificed their lives in the wars this nation has fought. So it was fitting that members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2718, who organized this year’s Memorial Day parade in Franklin Square, were featured for their service.
Community leader Joe Gonzalez laws the parade’s grand marshal. VFW members told tidbits of their stories.
Elliot McGinnis served in the Marines at the beginning of the Iraq War.
“When I got out I joined up with this group of guys,” McGinnis said of Post 2718. “At the time we had a lot of WWII members … We really are losing a significant portion of that heritage.”
From his account, many of his friends who served with him are challenged by living on Long Island.
“There’s a lot of active war vets, but they’re busy with their careers and family, and Long Island is too expensive to live in,” McGinnis said. “So we’re having difficulty with (getting) members.”
Angel Hinostroza was an Army chaplain assistant who provided religious support to service members during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He recalled why they sought his guidance.
“Talking about any personal problems, spiritual questions … praying for their family, for themselves,” Hinostroza said.
John McManamy served in Lebanon as part of the Navy. He remembers his singular focus.
“Working 12 hours a day, seven days a week,” McManamy said. “Never thought of anything else.”
Pat Coviello served in Vietnam. He recalled the heat.
“It was 105 degrees, walking around like a pack mule, ya know,” Coviello said. “The heat was worse than the bullets.”
Joe Gonzalez said he wasn’t a part of the armed forces, but he emphasized the personal and public importance of Memorial Day.
“Most importantly, my grandfather served,” Gonzalez said. “He was a World War II veteran. And it’s very, very important to show respect and gratitude to all the men and women that served this country.”
Also marching were the VFW Auxiliary, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Carey High School Band, Community League of Garden City South, Knights of Columbus, Sons and Daughters of Italy in America and more.
Girl Scouts Troop Leader Anna McCombs noted the importance of passing the tradition on.
“We’re teaching our next generation of women that we’re not only able to reach our lowest goals, but also as high as they want to go,” McCombs said.
Glenda Villanueva, a Girl Scout troop mom, attends the parade for her personal connection to the armed forces.
“My father, he was a veteran,” Villanueva said. “Our grandfather was a veteran. So it’s important to our family to be here as well.”
Joe Armocida, president of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America local America Lodge 2245, doesn’t enjoy the marching.
“(I love) the kickoff and at the end all the festivities the middle not so much,” Armocida said.
Tatiana Auguste, general manager for Wild Fork, provided the barbecue foods for the post-parade party.
“Memorial Day is important because we get to honor our veterans,” Auguste said. “We get to give them our thanks and praise for what they did, for us, for the country.”
John Conway, Commander of VFW 2718 highlighted the core reason that Memorial Day exists.
“It’s important to remember the people we lost, the people who are still out there,” Conway said. “Never forget … Hopefully it stops soon.”
