The Memorial Day parade in the Village of New Hyde Park will be held Saturday, continuing as usual despite the recent closure of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.
The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. on Jericho Turnpike at the intersection with Lakeville Road. It will include local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce as well as the New Hyde Park Memorial High School band.
“The purpose of the parade is to honor the war dead, all the people that lost their lives in combat serving for the United States, and it’s a tribute,” said Mario Obertis, the most recent commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8031, who helped organize the parade with the Village of New Hyde Park. “The Memorial Day parade is like a funeral.”
There will be a brief ceremony outside Village Hall at a stone that features names of individuals killed in action, Obertis said. The parade will then head to Memorial Park, where the mayor will speak. Both local politicians and state and congressional representatives were invited to attend, Obertis said.
Refreshments will be offered at Village Hall after the ceremony.
New Hyde Park’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8031 has held the parade every year. It disbanded in April due to low membership.
Obertis said he is hoping to see increased attendance due to efforts the village has undertaken to advertise the event.
“I’m curious to see how many people go out and support the parade because last year I didn’t see many observers,” Obertis said. “I’d like to see more patriotism and people out there observing the parade and honoring the war dead.”
