According to the National Cemetery Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, “in the waning years of the Civil War and immediately afterward, communities in the North and South, Black and White, decorated soldiers’ graves with floral honors on springtime ‘decoration days.'”
A few years later, in May of 1868, the Grand Army of the Republic — comprised of powerful Union veterans led by Major General John A. Logan — issued the “Memorial Day Act,” which formally established Memorial Day as the highest decoration day. It was noted as a day on which the entire nation would remember those that perished in war.
This Monday is Memorial Day, where we remember and honor the fallen. Although the holiday is often associated with the start of the summer season, particularly here in the Hamptons, please try to take the time to pause and reflect on all the people who died fighting to protect us and our rights. And, if you can, make it to one of these parades and/or ceremonies to thank a vet that’s still with us.
East Hampton
East Hampton’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony starts at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 25, with a “Lost at Sea” wreath drop at Main Beach. At 9:45 a.m., participants line up for the parade at the Presbyterian Church (120 Main St.), with the parade kicking off around 10. Hosted by the Everit Albert Herter VFW Post 550 and American Legion Post 419, the parade makes its way down Main Street, ending at the Hook Mill for a brief ceremony. Afterward, there’ll be a lunch at the legion (15 Montauk Highway).
Sag Harbor
The annual Memorial Day Parade in Sag Harbor steps off from the WWl monument at Otter Pond (on the corner of Main Street and Jermain Avenue) on Monday morning at 9 a.m. As the parade continues north along Main Street, “Taps” will be played while a gun volley salute honoring the fallen will occur at Sag Harbors’ war memorials along the route, including a small wreath laying ceremony at the Lance Corporal Jordan C. Haerter Veterans Memorial Bridge, before continuing down Bay Street, and finishing at Marine Park. Across the street, at the American Legion, Chelberg & Battle American Legion Post 388 and their auxiliary unit will have the Memorial Day service.
Shelter Island
On Shelter Island, the annual Memorial Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Monday from the Center Firehouse (49 North Ferry Road), proceeding south to the American Legion Mitchell Post 281. Immediately following the parade and subsequent ceremonies, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., it’s the Shelter Island Lions Club’s Memorial Day BBQ, in front of the Community Center. Burgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served and all are welcome.
Southampton
Hosted by the Commission on Veterans Patriotic Events, Southampton Village’s Memorial Day Parade is also on Monday, kicking off at 10:45 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church (2 South Main St.). The parade will proceed down Jobs Lane, ending at Agawam Park, where there’ll be a commemorative ceremony at 11 a.m. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served at Veterans Memorial Hall (25 Pond Lane), adjacent to the park. A quick side note: those looking to march in the parade should start lining up at the church at 10:30 a.m.
Hampton Bays
A ceremony will take place at the monument at the Hampton Bays American Legion Memorial Park, next to Hand-Aldrich American Legion Post 924 (located at 55 Ponquogue Ave.) on Monday at 10 a.m. Organizers are asking observers and participants to be seated no later than 9:45 a.m. Immediately following the ceremony there will be food and drinks downstairs in the legion hall. All are welcome.
Westhampton Beach
American Legion Arthur Ellis Hamm Post 834 in Westhampton Beach remembers and honors the fallen with a Memorial Day event on Monday at 11 a.m. at Westhampton Cemetery (28 Montauk Highway). Participants are slated to include WHB fire department and ambulance teams along with Southampton Town and Westhampton Village officials, local veteran representatives and the Westhampton Beach High School band. Later in the day, at 2 p.m., a wreath will be laid at the Arma “Ham” Andon Memorial Military Flag Park at the Westhampton Marina (35 Library Ave.). Additionally, American Legion scholarship winners will be recognized and there’ll be a 50/50 raffle drawing. Refreshments will be provided by local donors.
VFW Post 5350 will hold a service at their Westhampton Beach location (101 Old Riverhead Road) at 11 a.m. on Monday, in memory of those veterans who sacrificed and served, earning our continued freedom. The keynote speaker will be former U.S. Army helicopter pilot Barry Boeshore, a lifetime member of the post who served during the Vietnam War. Refreshments will follow.
