Organizations interested in taking part in the annual American Legion-sponsored Memorial Day Parade and Commemoration still have time, but the clock is ticking. In its 107th year, the parade will step off at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, from the parking lot of Freeport High School on Brookside Avenue. Organizations can start lining up at 9:15 a.m.
“You can’t just show up and march, you have to register,” explains David Cockerel, former commander of the William Clinton Story Post 342, which organizes the parade each year.
The parade ends at the viewing stand across from the Freeport Public Library on Merrick Avenue. The next meeting will be Friday, May 1, at 6 p.m. at the Post, which also will be hosting a community open house from 5-8 p.m. “Everyone is welcome to march, we have to know who is going to be in the parade. We have to have a complete list all the organizations. Also, you have to be affiliated with an organization to march.”
This year’s event will also include a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, including hosting a pair of Grand Marshals, both of whom are descendants of Revolutionary War soldiers. They will be Laura Smith, a descendent of the Benjamin Raynor Family, who founded Raynortown, which eventually became Freeport. She also is a descendant of Adam Smith. The other is Stacey Rose, who is the great-great granddaughter of Benjamin Lattimore Sr.
Adam Smith and the Raynor family have both a genealogical and geographic relationship, centering on the settlement of “Raynortown.” Smith served as a Private in the New York levies under Col. Marinus Willett. Levies were temporary, state-raised troops serving alongside the Continental Army and local militia, primarily in 1776-83 to defend the northern/western frontiers. These regiments were distinct from the permanent New York Line regiments. They focused on suppressing Loyalist activity and protecting against British-Indian raids. Service primarily took place on the Mohawk Frontier from 1780-81. He served during the same time period as “Free Black” patriot Lattimore Sr., who also served on the Mohawk Frontier.
As they do every year, veterans will have a place of honor in the parade. In addition, all veterans are invited to march or ride in one of the automobiles in the parade.
“From Vietnam veterans on down, no matter what your nationality, if you fought in an American conflict, you’re welcome to march in the parade,” Cockerel says. “Those who cannot march are invited to ride.”
The parade has grown and averages nearly 50 organizations that include school and other bands, antique and classic car clubs, Junior ROTC, a plethora of police and fire fighter vehicles and first responders and veterans.
“As a veteran, I am so proud to be marching with all these men and women who sacrificed so much in their service to our country,” says Mayor Robert T. Kennedy, who is a U.S. Navy veteran. “There is always such a great showing, and because we also are celebrating the 250th birthday, I am sure even more people will want to take part, and I expect even more spectators as well. We always have a great showing of spectators lining the route and cheering everyone on.”
For more information, call 516-697-9900, 516-410-9994 or email wcspost342@gmail.com. Those taking part must participate in a zoom meeting to complete their parade registration; https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88997187414?pwd=6GvA9xziuwEHia2bK6wakvMuydLpme.1.
