Mineola, Williston Park, East Williston to honor veterans with parades, ceremonies

Rebecca Klar

Mayor Paul Ehrbar of Williston Park said he encourages all residents to attend the Memorial Day parade and ceremony that will be held in the village on Monday.

The celebration is a great tradition, though it has gotten more difficult as the members of the American Legion have aged, Ehrbar said.

This year’s parade, hosted by the American Legion Post No. 144, will start at 10 a.m., assembling at the American Legion located at 730 Willis Ave. and weaving around village streets before ending at Village Hall.

Before the parade, Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello will deliver the keynote speech at the services held at the American Legion at 9 a.m.

After the parade, a memorial service will be held at the Fire Department.

Just over the train tracks, the neighboring village of East Williston will also hold Memorial Day celebrations.

The day will kick off with the 39th annual East Williston Memorial Day 5K race at 8:30 a.m at Devlin Field.

Awards for the three best times for male and female runners in different age categories will be given.

There is also an award for a Family Team Trophy and for walkers 19 and over.

There are awards for all participants in the Lil Tykes Fun Run, at 9:30 a.m., for children 6 and under.

East Williston’s celebrations don’t end with the race.

At 11 a.m., on Downing Street at the rear of the North Side School, the parade will form.

The parade will start at 11:30 a.m., followed by a Memorial Day ceremony at noon on the Village Green.

During the ceremony Mayor David Tanner will deliver the greetings, and a wreath will be placed at the War Memorial.

The race winners will also receive their awards during the ceremony from members of the recreation committee.

In Mineola, the American Legion will host a parade starting at 11 a.m. at Williston Field.

The parade will end at Memorial Park, where a memorial service will be held around noon or 12:30 p.m., depending on when the parade ends.

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