By Stephen Stirling
When Bob Graziano took over the reigns of the College Point Memorial Day Parade two years ago he said there was never a doubt in his mind why he was doing it: The veterans deserve it.
“If we didn't have them we would have no freedoms whatsoever,” Graziano said. “They protect the foundation for our entire system of life. There's no reason that us as American citizens should take that lightly. You're here for a reason. We shouldn't take that for granted.”
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Borough President Helen Marshall, state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bayside) and City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) are among the elected officials expected to head up the College Point Memorial Day Parade, which has been a tradition in the area for nearly 50 years.
The parade will begin at College Point Boulevard and 26 Avenue at 1:45 p.m. Sunday. Its route is expected to head east to 120th Street and then back to College Point Boulevard, before turning north and ending at MacNeil Park.
Graziano said he expects 50 U.S. Marines and 50 U.S. Navy sailors to join the parade as it weaves through College Point, who will be heartily fed following the parade at the Knights of Columbus Hall nearby.
“We pack them in,” Grazniano said. “We give them a little feeling of home life.”
Graziano, who has headed up the College Point parade since longtime community leader Fred Mazzaerello died two years ago, should be the mission of every American to honor our veterans, current servicemen and local authorities on Memorial Day.
“This parade forms a living memorial. We build up monuments to these people, but this builds up a living memorial to them that they can experience,” he said. “We have a saying here, our mission statement: 'The least we could do is to honor their sacrifice.' “
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
