Queens honored fallen heroes in a number of Memorial Day parades over the weekend. On Sunday, the United Veterans and Fraternal Organizations of Maspeth held its 27th Annual Memorial Day Parade along Grand Avenue, and on Monday, Glendale and Ridgewood held its own Memorial Day parade along Myrtle Avenue.
This year, the Maspeth parade honored not only those who died in combat, but veterans who received the Purple Heart. The Grand Marshals for the parade were Andrew and Virginia Frazier. Andrew served during World War II and received many awards for his service. Virginia was PTA President of PS 153 and formed the Mespatches Drum and Bugle Corps.
At the ceremony after the parade, Maspeth residents Robert Reilly and Arigo Fruner were honored. Both men served in the Army and were wounded during battle, earning them the Purple Heart.
Guest Speaker Conrad Steers, a Maspeth resident who served in Vietnam, is the commander of the New York Military order of the Purple Heart. He said the Purple Heart represented the immense sacrifice military personnel make to protect their country.
In Glendale and Ridgewood, the Allied Veterans’ Memorial Committee of Greater Ridgewood and Glendale held its 73rd Annual Memorial Day Parade. The Grand Marshal for the parade was Charles Spiegel, a member of the Glendale Post 104 and American Legion.
In a ceremony presided by Dan Wisotsky, a member of the Sergeant Edward R. Miller Post 7336, the community honored those who lost their lives in battle. Wisotsky said Memorial Day was not about the beginning of summer or going to the beach, but honoring those who lost their lives.
“All gave some, but some gave all,” said former Navy Chaplain Charles Hall. “It’s not a cliché, it’s the truth.”
by Eric Yun
