RVC Remembers Our Fallen Heroes

As veterans and community members walked down Maple Avenue during Monday morning’s Memorial Day parade, a celebratory tone was in the air. A forecasted rainy day had turned into bright sunshine and summer-like heat. 

A host of boy scouts, cub scouts, and brownies smiled and laughed, happy to be off from school and waving to friends and family. The Rockville Centre Little League, Chamber of Commerce, Soccer Club, and Tea Party Patriots also marched to the music of the and l bands.

As the festivities moved to Veterans Memorial Park, located next to the , the morning took on a more somber feel. A ceremony honoring fallen veterans sought to remind parade-goers to never forget the true meaning of the holiday. 

“It saddens me when I hear ‘happy Memorial Day,’” Grand marshal Charles Gennario said. “There’s nothing happy about Memorial Day. It’s a somber day. It’s a commemorative day.”

Gennario continued: 

“We wouldn’t appreciate it if someone came up to us in September and said ‘Happy 9/11 day’ or ‘Happy Pearl Harbor Day’ (in December). Let’s keep that in mind. It’s not a day to be happy. It’s a day to commemorate, remember, and honor those heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”  

Before being installed as Rockville Centre’s Police Commissioner, Gennario served in the Marine corps for 28 years. He began is career in 1979 and served in Desert Storm. 

As part of his remarks, Gennario spoke about Rockville Centre resident Lt. Ron Winchester. Winchester died in combat in 2004. He was the first village resident killed in the Iraq war, according to Mayor Fran Murray. 

“Ron was carried from the battlefield. He knew that his wounds were fatal,” Gennario said. “(But) all he cared about and asked about were his marines that he led. Those are the kind of heroes that we honor today.”         

Winchester isn’t the only local veteran who is remembered in Veterans Memorial Park. 105 names are captured in stone, commemorating Rockville Centre veterans who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. 

While the fallen were certainly on the minds of many, Murray reminded those in attendance to not only remember those who have passed, but to keep those still serving foremost in any Memorial Day thoughts.

“They are shining examples of what is best about America,” Murray said. “The members of our armed forces have been summoned to make sacrifices for our country. Some have given their lives, but even more have returned home with debilitating injuries...Keep all (of them) in your thoughts and prayers as we go through this solemn day of remembrance.”      

The ceremony ended with the laying of wreaths at each memorial stone and a 21 gun salute. Virtually all who marched stayed for the half-hour program, soaking up the meaning of the day. 

That was noticed by Gennario. 

“As long as you people are coming here, we will endure as a nation,” he said.