Honoring Those Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice

Despite the unpredictable weather, residents lined the streets in patriotic garb waving American flags to help honor the war dead on Monday, May 28, 2018. William Bradford Turner Post 265 of the American Legion conducted its annual parade and ceremony, which this year included a re-dedication of two large plaques from the original Doubleday building on Franklin Avenue.

The parade made its way to the War Memorial on Seventh Street where keynote speakers joined residents in honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Christopher Blume, an Army veteran and immediate past Commander of the William Bradford Turner Post, served as Grand Marshal. He appealed to Garden City’s veterans. “As I handed the torch to Frank, the mission is to keep the traditions alive in Garden City,” he said. “For those of you out there who served, please join. Get involved.”

Mayor Brian Daughney, who marched alongside Trustees Stephen Makrinos, John Delany and Colleen Foley, added, “We are honored by your service, your presence and we want to thank you, as well as present members of the military, for all that you do.” The Mayor further recognized Vietnam veteran Cyril Smith, the Garden City Historical Society and crews from the Departments of Public Works and Recreation and Parks for all their work in relocating the Doubleday plaques to Seventh Street and prepping the site ahead of this year’s ceremony. Walter Hines Page, Doubleday’s original partner, was responsible for Doubleday's move from New York City to Garden City. Susan Page Trotman, Mr. Page’s great-granddaughter, and her husband, Stanley, attended the ceremony.

“It has been a wonderful journey,” Mr. Smith said. “The Doubleday plaques originally stood in the front entrance of the Doubleday building on Franklin Avenue. With the help of the Mayor, the Board of Trustees, Department of Public Works, Garden City Historical Society and so many others who made this project happen they are now permanently located fifty feet behind me.”

Village Administrator Ralph Suozzi praised the teamwork of the various Village Departments, particularly thanking Richard Freda, supervisor of the Central Garage, and his crew, for building the steel frames both plaques are resting on; Fred Sylvia, general supervisor of the Highway Department, and his team, for moving the plaques to Seventh Street and for positioning and mounting the plaques into the ground; and crews from the Recreation and Parks Department for doing “a beautiful job” planting the red, white and blue flowers around the plaques. He also thanked Superintendent of Public Works Joseph DiFrancisco for coordinating the overall effort with his team, plus a multitude of vendors and contractors; and the Board of Trustees for supporting this historic initiative, particularly Deputy Mayor Theresa Trouvé and Trustee Mark Hyer for participating in the planning of the event and the recent site visits it entailed.

Drummers Sarah Colletti and Caroline Feryo from the Garden City High School Band assisted American Legion Commander Frank Tauches as he read aloud the names of the war dead who served during World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam and Iraq. Buglers John Blume and Jack McShane, also from the Garden City High School Band, played Taps under the canopy of the newly installed gazebo. The benediction, offered by The Very Rev’d Michael Sniffen of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, closed out the ceremony.

Joan Nedelka, long time president of the American Legion Auxiliary, perhaps summed up the day best: “I see this day as a three-part symbol of devotion: first, we should honor the dead that made the supreme sacrifice so that we can live in freedom. Then, it is only fitting that we honor the silent, suffering members of the Armed Forces who returned home physically, emotionally or psychologically crippled. For example, those veterans confined to a hospital such as the thirty men in Ward 8A in the Northport Veterans Hospital whom our Auxiliary adopted. Lest they be forgotten. The third part of this day should be concern for the men and women who are currently serving in our Armed Forces around the world for they are the veterans of the future.”