The Great Neck Memorial Day Parade Committee announced that the 95th Annual Great Neck Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 27, 2019 to honor members of the United States military who have served and died to protect their country.
The parade will feature both active and veteran members of all branches of the United States military marching down Middle Neck Road from Susquehanna Avenue to the Village Green. The Great Neck Memorial Day Parade traditionally attracts hundreds of residents from Great Neck and its neighboring communities, offering an opportunity to honor members of the United States military and recognize their service.
The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. sharp on Monday, May 29, and will be held rain or shine. It is held under the auspices of the Charles A. Fowler, Jr. American Legion Post #160, Gilliar-Norwill Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #372, United States Merchant Marine Academy, Alert Engine, Hook, Ladder and Hose Co. #1 and Vigilant Engine and Hook and Ladder.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Colonel David M. Lange, United States Air Force (Retired). Colonel Lange grew up in Great Neck and is a graduate of Saddle Rock Elementary School, Great Neck North Middle School and John L. Miller Great Neck North High School.
Lange entered the Air Force on July 6, 1984 as a cadet at the USAF Academy. Following graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on June 1, 1988. In addition, he is a member of many volunteer military organizations including the American Legion Post and Veterans of Foreign Wars. A Master Navigator, Lange was awarded the Institute of Navigation Superior Achievement Award, recognizing him as the top Navigator in the Department of Defense.
Col. Lange served as an officer in the Active Duty Air Force for 30 years, retiring on June 1, 2018. He is a decorated combat veteran of Operations Desert Storm and Allied Force and has flown numerous combat and humanitarian missions.
He said he was extremely proud to have been selected by the Parade Committee. “It has my extreme honor to have served in the United States Air Force to protect the country I love so dearly,” Lange said. “And that is only exceeded by being chosen by the Great Neck Memorial Day Parade Committee to serve as this year’s Grand Marshal of the Memorial Day Parade”.
Great Neck Parade Committee Chair Louise M. McCann reminds the community that “in the spirit of this most important national holiday, I ask all Great Neck residents to remember that the true meaning of Memorial Day is to honor those who gave the full measure of devotion to our country. We must always honor them and remember that we are marching in their memory.”
In addition to members of the United States military, this year’s parade will include various local volunteer organizations and groups—including social, religious, nonprofit and student-based musical groups— that will be marching to honor all of those who given their lives to protect our nation’s freedoms.
Great Neck veterans are encouraged to participate in the parade and ride in a lead car at the head of the parade. All attending veterans will also be given a place of honor with special seating on the Village Green. All local Great Neck organizations are also encouraged to participate in the parade—free of charge. To reserve a seat for a veteran or to register ahead of the parade, please contact gnparades@gmail.com.
