Celebrate Memorial Day This Year at the 90th Annual Staten Island Memorial Day Parade

Monday, May 25, 2009 marks the 90^th Annual Staten Island Memorial Day Parade, sponsored by the United Staten Island Veterans Organization (an organization composed of 17 different veterans services organizations).

As in previous years, parade marchers will likely include reserve and retired members of all branches of the United States Armed Forces, as well as representatives from various civic organizations-such as the Boy Scouts; the Staten Island Borough President and other Democratic and Republican State and local elected officials; the Staten Island Pipes and Drums and other bands; and even veteran motorcycle clubs.

Active Navy Sailors, U.S. Marines, and U.S. Coast Guardsmen, on leave for New York's celebration of Fleet Week (running this year from May 20 to May 27), have also been invited to participate in the festivities, as they have in previous years. The Navy docks ships at Staten Island's Stapleton Pier during Fleet Week, and the volunteers of Staten Island's Fleet Week Association, a nonprofit organization, works hard to ensure that active military personal are comfortable during their week of R&R.

The Parade will begin at noon at Hart Boulevard and will end at the Forest Avenue Shopper's Town Plaza at Livermore Avenue. Thousands of spectators are expected to attend, as was the case last year, to demonstrate their patriotism and their gratitude to the sacrifices made by the country's military.

Staten Island's Memorial Day Parade has been an annual celebration since 1995 (prior to, the last Memorial Day parade celebration was held in Staten Island was in 1975). Almost fifteen years ago, two residents, Dick Kohn (a retired Navy Sailor), and Tim Rice, spearheaded a campaign to revive the parade. With the support of local elected officials and the city's Parks department, the two also established a memorial in tribute to the nation's Army, Marine, Air Force, Naval, and Coast Guard veterans in the Staten Island neighborhood of Great Kills.

The Parade will be preceded by the 29^th Annual Memorial Day Four Mile Run, sponsored by the Staten Island Advance. Participants are invited to run in the memory of a veteran or a 9/11 victim. The race begins at 9:00 a.m. at Father Capodanno Blvd., South Beach, Staten Island. Simultaneously, the Advance's Memorial Day 4-Mile Board Walk will begin; walkers will follow the same route as the runners. More information about the race, including entry instructions, applications, and directions, can be found here.

Sources

Barrie Barber, Staten Island Volunteers Keep Fleet Week Sailing Strong, United States Navy

Kathryn Carse, Patriotism comes full-circle at village square, Staten Island Advance

Staten Island Advance, Memorial Day Parade honors Staten Island veterans, Staten Island Advance

Staten Island Advance, Memorial Day Four Mile Run, Staten Island Advance

United States Navy, Fleet Week New York City 2009, United States Navy