Rockaway Remembers the Fallen

By Katie McFadden

Rockaway will never forget those who sacrificed everything for our freedoms. On Monday, May 26, the Daniel M. O’Connell Post 272 of the American Legion and Auxiliary held their annual Memorial Day parade and remembrance ceremonies, as locals lined the street and boardwalk to pay their respects.

It was a rare beautiful Memorial Day Monday for the parade. And the beautiful weather had folks taking time out of their beach day to participate in the ceremonies to honor those members of the armed forces who made the supreme sacrifice through WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the War on Terror and during training exercises with their respective branches.

The event began with a memorial Mass at St. Francis de Sales Church on Beach 129th Street. Following the Mass, the crowd gathered around the Four Chaplains monument outside of the church for the first ceremony.

Mike Honan, a U.S. Navy veteran, led the ceremony, thanking all who made it possible including parade chairman Jimmy Trainor, Charlie Ciliberti, who made arrangements with NYC Parks to bring the parade to the boardwalk, Fr. Sweeney, Fr. Cunningham and Deacon Armand of St. Francis, Travis Baretto and Jim Mullen who did the advertising for the event, the Tubridy family and DJs@Work for operating a sound system at each ceremony site and more.

Honan acknowledged the “1.35 million men and women who have fallen in protection of our rights to be here.” Fr. Bill Sweeney read the names of some of those fallen servicemembers and led a prayer. Wreaths were laid at the Four Chaplains monument while U.S. Army Veteran and local American Legion commander Brian Galarza played “Taps “on the bugle. “As long as we remember, they will never be forgotten,” Honan said.

The parade then began with the NYPD, members of the American Legion and other veterans leading the way. They were followed by the Ladies Auxiliary, AOH Division 21, Troop/Pack 147, the Channel View band, the Scholars’ Academy band, the Graybeards and folks behind banners for Lt. James B. Egan, PFC James P. McGonigal and Lance Cpl. Michael Glover. As folks lined the streets, they cheered the parade on as they made their way to Memorial Circle on Beach 121st Street for the second ceremony. Honan acknowledged the crowd and encouraged people to get even more involved in the event. “This is becoming a community-based parade. We want to get the community more and more involved because we want the next generation to take on the torch when the time comes that we’re no longer here,” he said before the National Anthem was played.

Senator James Sanders, a veteran of the U.S. Marines, was on hand to share a few words. He announced the passing of former Congressman Charles Rangel, a U.S. Army veteran, and explained the difference between Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Armed Forces Day. “As long as America is producing people like we see in this audience, we will always be a free nation,” Sanders said. “Continue to enjoy this day. Let us remember how costly it is to be free and not to trade our freedom for anything.”

Rabbi Matt Carl of Temple Beth-El spoke of the Hebrew word “avoda,” meaning sacrifice, labor or service, and spoke of those who served the country and the community. “Today we’re here to honor those who made the ultimate avoda,” he said before reading the names of those listed at Memorial Circle and leading a prayer. Wreaths were laid at the memorial as “Taps” was played once again.

The parade then proceeded on to the boardwalk, down to Beach 95th Street to the Doughboy and Doughgirl monuments. There, Honan made note of the turnout for the day. “We had a great turnout here and at St. Francis and Beach 120th and on a day like this, which is almost a beach day, the turnout shows how we continue to honor the fallen and remember them,” he said. Councilwoman Joann Ariola was also on hand after attending Memorial Day activities on mainland Queens. “It’s important that we gather as a community. Rockaway never ceases to amaze me with how the peninsula comes together. Why? Because we must remember, and we must honor the lives that were lost. We must celebrate that they lived so we could have our freedom, we could pledge allegiance to the flag, so we could have our National Anthem. We have our freedom because of the people who served but today we honor those who didn’t make it home,” she said, adding that she hopes younger veterans become involve in organizations like the American Legion to keep the parade going.

The names of all of those from the community who died in service were read. Wreaths were laid at each monument. Everyone then joined in the singing of “God Bless America.” All veterans were welcomed to a reception at the Knights of Columbus after the ceremony.

Photos by Katie McFadden.