New Hyde Park’s Memorial Day parade took a new route last Saturday to honor veterans who were killed or wounded in battle.
Local organizations marching in the annual parade sponsored by the New Hyde Park VFW and American Legion traveled up the portion of Central Boulevard that was renamed Memorial Way when the village was dedicated as a Purple Heart Town in September, Mayor Robert Lofaro said.
“They thought it would be something that would be a fitting tribute, the road that kind of connects the two memorials,” Lofaro said.
About 200 people turned out for Saturday’s parade and ceremonies at Memorial Field, Lofaro said, the first in front of the village’s new Purple Heart Memorial honoring recipients of the U.S. military medal that recognizes soldiers killed or wounded at war.
The village has been working to establish the memorial since last July, when the Village Board voted to make New Hyde Park one of about 20 Long Island Purple Heart communities at the suggestion of Michael Dolan, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War.
The village and local volunteers also refurbished the village’s existing memorial to local soldiers from the area who have died at war, Lofaro said.
“I think it’s a wonderful tribute to the Purple Heart recipients and all veterans,” he said. “It’s a beautiful area to reflect on and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Dolan, the New Hyde Park Funeral Home, Milena’s Garden Center, Persi Construction, architect Ken Garvin and the village’s public works department contributed to the effort, Lofaro said.
In his remarks to the crowd, Lofaro said it is important to remember those from New Hyde Park who gave their lives to defend the U.S., including five Army airmen who avoided hitting a housing complex in a fatal 1942 plane crash.
“Always remember all of our departed service members, not only today, and not only on Memorial Day, but every day as we enjoy the freedoms of America,” Lofaro said on Saturday.
