Community Corner

West Islip Commemorates Memorial Day with Parade

Community members come out to honor nation's veterans

Members of the West Islip community came out in full force today to commemorate Memorial Day with a parade and ceremony. Members of the West Islip American Legion Post #1738 including commander Ted Gladkowski, chaplain and incoming commander Joe Faccibene and past commander Jerome Capoccia, led the parade.

Numerous members of various West Islip organizations marched down Udall Road and then Higbie Lane. A brief ceremony was held at the Veterans Monument on Higbie Lane before the parade continued to the Paul J. Bellew Elementary School. 

In front of the school, a ceremony was held during which some members of the community spoke about Memorial Day. West Islip Superintendent of Schools Dr. Beth Virginia Blau spoke about the importance of reflecting on the special meaning of Memorial Day while spending time with friends and family.

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Memorial Day may be in the "unofficial" start of summer, but it is also a time to remember those who gave their lives securing and defending this nation's freedom. Many men and women made the ultimate sacrifice in the nation's various military conflicts include World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and the War on Terror.

"They are our true heroes and we remember them with both awe and pride," Dr. Blau said. 

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Commander Gladkowski commented that freedom is not free and we are forever in debt to those who fought to preserve it. "Memorial Day reminds us that freedom is indeed important to live for and just as precious to die for. Those who are living under freedom are doing so because of those who died for it," he said. 

Suffolk County Legislator Tom Barraga of West Islip, who is a veteran of the Marine Corps, read a story about an old man who was having car trouble. It turns out the man was a winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

Suffolk County Treasurer Angie Carpenter encouraged everyone in attendance to take a moment during the day to thank someone who is serving in the military. 

World War II veteran Al Blanco, a member of the Greatest Generation, simply said about the importance of Memorial Day, "It means everything."

Among those who donated wreaths that were placed in front of the flag at the Paul J. Bellew School were the Captree Republican Club, West Islip Association, West Islip Bicentennial Committee, West Islip Chamber of Commerce, West Islip American Legion Post #1738, West Islip American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, West Islip Fire Department, West Islip Historical Society, the West Islip Beautification Society, the Kaliner family.

 


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