The United Veterans and Fraternal Organizations of Maspeth has announced its speakers and honorees for the Maspeth Memorial Day Parade, which will be held this Sunday, May 29 along Grand Avenue.
Vietnam Veteran Conrad Steers will be the featured speaker at the ceremony after the parade. Steers was awarded the Purple Heart after being severely wounded by enemy sniper fire in South Vietnam. He is the commander of the New York Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Steers has been actively involved in several veteran organizations including the Vietnam Veterans of America—where he serves as the Southern District Director. He is also the Commander of Post #3211 and the President of the United Vets Organization of Nassau County.
Also being honored at the parade are Purple Heart recipients Arigo Fruner and Robert Reilly.
Fruner was born on January 28, 1924 and came to American with his parents in 1930. He was drafted into the Army in 1943 where he served in the 29th Infantry Division. His infantry division traveled through France and into Germany when they encountered heavy opposition. Fruner was heavily wounded during the fight and lost his right arm.
After his time in the service, Fruner worked for the Veterans Administration for 31 years. He is married to Theresa and has two sons, Samuel and Robert.
Reilly was born on August 9, 1933. After graduating high school in 1952, Reilly enlisted in the Air Force and spent four years in Tokyo. He later joined the Marines in 1967 and received orders to report to Vietnam. On January 13, 1968, Reilly was wounded when his convoy was ambushed.
Reilly returned to Queens to undergo medical treatment where he met his wife Eileen, the current Executive Director of Maspeth Town Hall. Reilly received his law degree from St. John’s University and has worked as an Administrative Judge for Workes’ Compensation and as a law secretary to a Supreme Court judge. The couple has three children, Mike, Amanda and Thomas.
The Maspeth Memorial Day Parade will be held on Sunday, May 29, at 1 p.m. at 72nd Street and Grand Avenue. The post-parade ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at Maspeth Veterans Square at 69th Street and Grand Avenue. The theme for this year’s parade and ceremony is “Maspeth honors the Purple Heart.”
