By Adam Kramer
Grand Marshal Patrick Murphy, a past commander of the Floral Park American Legion Post and 38-year Floral Park, L.I. resident, will lead Floral Park’s annual Memorial Day Parade, which celebrates the accomplishments of U.S. veterans.
The parade will kick off Monday at 10 a.m. at the Elizabeth Street home of the Floral Park American Legion and proceed east to Plainfield Avenue. The parade then will turn onto Jericho Turnpike, west to Tyson Avenue and south to Tulip Avenue.
“It gives us the opportunity to honor the people who made sacrifices to preserve our way of life,” said William Corbett, commander of the American Legion post. The parade is also important, he said, because in relation to Floral Parks’ population, the community lost a tremendous number of people in World War I and II.
He said he thinks the community has been holding the Memorial Day Parade since the Legion’s inception in 1919.
The parade will pass “through the heart of the business district to Memorial Park,” said Jim MacDonald, chairman of the parade and past legion commander. He said formal ceremonies will be held following the parade at Memorial Park.
“The ceremony at Memorial Park is a way for our community to come together,” Corbett said. “About 500 to 1,000 people come together to hear various messages. It helps to rekindle our spirit of patriotism.”
Murphy served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954. He was stationed in the Pacific Ocean on the USS Pine Island AV 12 and a sea plane tender. He saw service in Korea, the China Sea, Philippines and Formosa. He received the Korea Service Medal, China Sea Medal, Good Conduct Meda as well as United Nations and Korean Government citations.
The Floral Park Memorial High School Band, the John Lewis Childs School Band and the Floral Park Fire Department Band will lead the parade down its course.
Once at Memorial Park, Roger Hausch, a former New York state assistant attorney general, will speak to the crowd. Some of the honors bestowed on Hausch include a Bronze Star, Air Medal, Vietnam Cross for Gallantry and Vietnam Service Medal.
Memorial wreaths will be presented from the American Legion and Auxiliary, Catholic War Veterans, St. Hedwigs Post 882, Floral Park Fire Department, Floral Park Junior Women’s Club and the Floral Park Women’s Club.
Reach reporter Adam Kramer by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.
