It was a special Memorial Day morning in Patchogue.
The annual parade along Main Street in memory of our fallen military members has always been followed by wreath ceremonies at Harry T. Hanson Veterans Memorial Park on Baker Street and South Ocean Avenue.
But this year, the services were punctuated by the dedication of the village’s recently restored WWI-era cannons, as well as a sapling from the 9/11 Survivor Tree.
Mayor Paul Pontieri was there Monday to help the local veterans unveil four new upright plaques that inform visitors of the symbols’ significance (photos below).
Also on hand was life-long Patchogue resident Beverly Maler, 90, whose son, Alfred Maler, was killed in the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.
His sister, also Beverly, was also in attendance for the dedication, during which her mother got teary eyed on multiple occasions remembering and talking about her son to Pontieri.
“It’s really so lovely of them to do that,” the younger Beverly said after.
The parade is hosted each year by the United Veterans of Patchogue, VFW Post 2913, American Legion Post 269 and AMVets Post 111, as well as the Patchogue Parks and Recreation Department.
The emcee for the day was Dave Rogers, the incoming commander of VFW Post 2913.
“This day is not about veterans,” Rogers reminded the crowd. “Veterans get to come home. Today is about those that gave all, that sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.”
