Brookhaven Hamlet Celebrates Memorial Day

In a ceremony that has little changed for decades, Brookhaven Hamlet celebrated Memorial Day.  The parade forms at the High School and proceeds east on South Country Road to the Memorial Triangle.

The parade color guard.

Brookhaven Fire Department Color Guard.

The Fire Department is the lead sponsor of the event.

Brookhaven Fire Department.

Other community organizations were represented.

South Country Ambulance Corps.

Bellport High School Band

Bobby Sterling pleased the crowd with his decorated bicycle taking up the rear.

The day was beautiful, perfect for a parade.  Many from the community lined the streets and attended the memorial ceremony at the Memorial Triangle.

Master of ceremonies for the memorial events was Chief Peter DiPinto, Jr of the Brookhaven Fire Department.  The Bellport High School Band opened with the National Anthem.

Department Chaplain Ed Sives opened with a few remarks and an invocation.

First District Congressman Tim Bishop and Suffolk County Legislator Kat Browning addressed the crowd.

Congressman Bishop

Assistant Chief Bruce Mazza read the names of Brookhaven Hamlet residents who gave their lives serving their country and the bell was tolled for each:  Paul Ballard [WWII], Stephen Brown [WWI], Lawrence Costa [WWII], John M. Ewing [Korea], Paul Fruchtnicht [WWII], Anthony Iarocci [WWII], and Lawrence Kinsella [WWII].*

Memorial wreaths were placed by members of the Brookhaven Fire Department, VFW Post 8300, Brookhaven Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, South Country Ambulance Company, Shirley Community Ambulance Company, Mastic Fire Department, Brookhaven Village Association and Boy Scout Troop 4.

Chief Peter DiPinto, Jr places a wreath.

Past Post Commander Jim Vaughn places a wreath on behalf of VFW Post 8300.

Chief Greg Miglino and members of the South Country Ambulance Company places a wreath.

The service concluded with Lt. Jim Leskowicz singing America the Beautiful, a firing squad volley, taps (with echo) played by members of the band, and a benediction by Ed. Sives, who then lead us in a chorus of God Bless America.  There were not a few tearing eyes.  A fitting Memorial Day remembrance.

*  A person not mentioned is John Joseph Foden, killed in Vietnam 25 Jan 1968.  The Fire Department is aware of the omission.