Village of Hastings-on-Hudson Holds Memorial Day Parade

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Drae Parker, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

NEW YORK (NNS) -- Service members participated in a Memorial Day parade May 27 as part of Fleet Week New York 2012 and the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

More than 90 service members from the U.S Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, along with sailors from the Brazilian tall ship, Cisne Branco, marched through the streets of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson.

"It's fitting service members are down here, marching in this parade to celebrate Memorial Day with the citizens of New York and Hastings-on-Hudson, because (Memorial Day) is a day to remember those who served before us," said Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, who attended the parade.

After the parade, Alexander conducted a wreath placement ceremony at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Memorial as part of the celebration and the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson Fire Chief James Sarfaty presented Alexander with an appreciation proclamation from the people of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson.

"Hastings has a connection to the Navy," Sarfaty said. "We are the home of the first (Navy) admiral, David Farragut, and it is in recognition of that honor that we are declaring this week U.S. Navy and Marine Corps week."

The celebration was wrapped up with a cookout at which service members had a chance to mingle with locals.

"It's a great honor to be here," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jaime Rojas. "I didn't realize how many people were going to be here; how many people really appreciate what we do."

Held nearly every year since 1984, Fleet Week New York is the city's celebration of the sea services. Fleet Week New York provides an opportunity for its citizens and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see first-hand, the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. More than 6,000 service men and women from the U.S. and coalition nations will arrive aboard the ships.

This year, Fleet Week New York is one of the signature events around the country commemorating OpSail 2012, the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner.

The commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is a salute to all Sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who served in all our nation's conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world today.