Great Neck residents and civic groups will honor nation’s fallen veterans Monday during the peninsula’s 89th annual Memorial Day parade.
The parade has always maintained its focus on preserving the memories of those who have sacrificed in the service of the county, said outgoing Great Neck Memorial Day Parade Committee chairman Jim Barton.
“It has always been a memorial day service,” said Barton. “We keep it as reverent as we can in remembering those who have departed.”
The parade will depart at 9:30 a.m. from South Middle Neck Road, beginning with a marching band and cadets from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Veterans organizations including the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will also march, along with the Great Neck Alert and Vigilant fire companies, local public officials and representatives from Great Neck’s schools and religious institutions.
“It’s pretty much a great overview of Great Neck. You’ve got temples and churches and veterans groups and fire departments and schools and all of that,” Barton said.
This year’s grand marshal will be Elliot Lichtenstein, a Marine veteran and member of the Great Neck Vigilant fire company, according to Barton.
The parade, which is estimated to take between an hour and an hour and a half, has widespread support from the community and reflects Great Neck’s respect for veterans, said Barton.
“It seems to get more popular every year,” Barton said.
