05-26-08
#33
Memorial Day Parade in Mount Vernon attended by
thousands due to great weather
A
spectacular sunny and comfortable day made this year's
Memorial Day parade and ceremonies a resounding success
in Mount Vernon.
The day commenced with a very early morning wreath
laying ceremony at Mount Vernon City Hall Plaza.
Attending the yearly ceremony for the very first time as
the newly elected mayor of Mount Vernon was Clinton I.
Young, Jr., who provided greetings.
The ever popular Will DuBose, Director of the Mount
Vernon Veterans Service Agency, was the Master of
Ceremonies for a wreath laying ceremony that routinely
touches many hearts every year.
Like in previous years, Carmen Palmer, a Gold Star
Mother who lost her son in Iraq, assisted in laying a
wreath at the proposed site of the Gold Star Mothers
Monument.
The many dignitaries and city officials in attendance
helped in laying wreaths at the following monuments:
At the conclusion of the wreath laying ceremony,
attendees walked over to the parade staging area in
preparation for the march across the Mount Vernon
downtown business district.
The parade commenced exactly on time, since under Mayor
Young, meetings and events within the City of Mount
Vernon all seem to take place on a timely basis.
Due to a spectacular picture perfect day, legions of
people lined the parade route, in some places 2 and 3
rows deep.
Mount Vernon citizens watching the parade exhibited a
sense of patriotism not seen in a long time in Mount
Vernon. Many wore American flag pins, others had small
American flags they waved continuously during the course
of the parade. There was a sense of pride on the faces
of all who trekked to the parade route to watch this
year's parade.
The Grand Marshall for this year's parade was George
Humphrey, Chairman of the Central Committee for Veterans
Affairs.
At the conclusion of the parade, many gathered at
Hartley Park to attend a Memorial Day ceremony in honor
of all who promote, protect and preserve democracy,
along with our many fallen war heroes.
The ceremony took place at the gazebo, and was attended
my about two hundred people.
Acting as the Master of Ceremonies once again was
DuBose, who was assisted by Mel Garrett, past chairman
of the Central Committee for Veterans Affair.
The keynote speaker was, Harry Rosenthal, Director of
Intelligence, Security and Counterterrorism for the
County of Westchester. The ISCT gathers and develops
intelligence to help ensure the security of County
residents, critical infrastructure within the County,
and those who work, visit or recreate in Westchester.
Rosenthal is a former West Point Provost Marshal with
experience in law enforcement and counterterrorism. He
was appointed by County Executive Andy Spano as
Westchester County’s Director of Public Security in
2003. Rosenthal is not new to the business of
counterterrorism and intelligence gathering. In addition
to serving as Provost Marshal at West Point, his last
assignment, he was site security officer at weapons
storage facility in Germany, a post in which he worked
to safeguard a high-security facility from terrorist
groups. He worked with the Criminal Investigations
Command in Washington, D.C.; and served with the 18th
Military Police Brigade in Germany and Bosnia.
During his speech, Rosenthal received several ovations
from the large audience for his many positive comments
about our servicemen.
At the end of the ceremony, many in attendance were
heard commenting about the transformation of Hartley
Park, once a neglected garbage strewn park. The park
impressed many during the ceremony, since the grounds
were garbage free; graffiti has been removed and the
gazebo has been restored.
(l to r)
City Comptroller Maureen Walker and Carmen Palmer after
laying a
wreath at the Gold Star Mothers proposed site.
The
WWII/Korean Monument
The 911 Monument
Veterans
of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary members
DPW
Commissioner Terence Horton (standing) pictured with
Members of
Westchester County and Bronx Blue Knights Motorcycle
Club.
Harry
Rosenthal, Director of Intelligence, Security and
Counterterrorism for the County of Westchester.
Spectators enjoying the parade with American flags in
their hands
Mount
Vernon's Bravest
Members
of Anthony T. Fava American Legion Post 1768
