Pat Connolly leads the Howard Beach Memorial parade having been chosen by the VFW Bernar J. Coleman Post 2565 as the Grand Marshal. Forum Newsgroup photos by Patricia Adams.
Some things never change.
Every year, during the first week in May, a letter from VFW Bernard J. Coleman Post No. 2565 goes out to the Howard Beach community announcing the annual Memorial Day Parade and inviting everyone to attend.
The letter encourages readers to pay homage to our veterans and asks that we all show our respect and gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country. It’s signed off by Commander Patrick G. Connolly—in fact, most times it’s hand delivered by him. One other thing, the letter always arrives with a smile and of course a huge hug. But amidst all that sentiment is something not as obvious or easily definable. And despite the fact it’s so rarely seen, we still recognize what it is that never changes– not about the letter and not about Pat Connolly. We call it sincerity.
This year Commander Connolly was honored by the VFW for his service to country and the United States Marine Corps, and was named parade Grand Marshal. For the crowd that packed Coleman Square, there was no more befitting an honor for the man and no other man more deserving of the honor.
Pat Connolly served with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Da Nang. In a proclamation presented to him at the parade ceremony he was praised as one who has set a superb example for all Marines to follow and for his distinguished career as a NYC Firefighter. It was signed by James F. Amos, General, U.S. Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Emotions swelled as Connolly’s friend of 55 years, Navy buddy and Past Commander of Post 2565, Joseph Wagner presented the Marine with a commemorative plaque, sword and the announcement that he had been elevated from an E4 Corporal to an E5 Sergeant. Wagner addressed the crowd about the history of the Coleman Post and the war heroes and veterans from the Howard Beach community that had maintained the parade and the traditions of remembering and honoring the war dead. In turning to Commander Connolly he said, “Today they are looking down and are very proud that you have picked up the torch and have continued this most important tradition. I thank you, they thank you and we all salute you.”
And when it was time for the Commander to speak, pointing to the Memorial Wall behind him where the names of the community’s lost veterans are inscribed, he said, “these people are more than names etched on a wall. They’re fathers and sons and brothers and friends. We can never forget the sacrifice they made.”
Although humbled by the honor bestowed upon him, at the end of the day, to Pat Connolly, the only thing that mattered was that the every veteran who sacrificed for his or her country was remembered in the way they should be—with the utmost honor and respect.
So you see, some things never change.
By Patricia Adams
