May 30, 2012:  Grand Marshal George B. Palmer, Jr. led the 92nd Memorial Day parade from Leonard Morange Square on the west side of town through the business district on Pondfield Road to The Bronxville School on a sunny Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.  Palmer is a veteran of WW II and the Korean War and a former prisoner of war, and he has been a resident of Bronxville for over 40 years.

He was followed by local dignitaries, including Mayor Mary Marvin, village trustees Donald Gray and Anne Poorman, and village justice George McKinnis.

Also accompanying Bronxville officials this year were County Executive Rob Astorino, Eastchester Town Supervisor Anthony Colavita, and Eastchester Town Councilman Glenn Bellitto.  Later in the parade came the chairman of the Eastchester Fire Board, Ray Albanese, accompanied by other board members.  Out of sight most of the time, but always on hand, was Village Administrator Harry Porr, who oversaw the planning and execution of the parade.

Model As and Model T Fords were part of a collection of vintage cars that followed the dignitaries.  Bagpipers and an impressive drum corps from the John Philip Sousa High School in the Bronx provided music and beat to keep the marchers in step.

Representatives of various civic organizations and agencies, including the Bronxville Beautification Council, Lawrence Hospital Center, the Daughters of the American Revolution, The Bronxville Women's Club, the Senior Citizens Council, and the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Brownies, were not far behind.  The colorful grand finale was provided by kids decked out in red, white, and blue.  Noticeably missing this year was the Bronxville League of Women Voters, which closed down earlier this year.

At a bandstand in front of The Bronxville School, The Rev. Robert Hartwell of the Bronxville Village Lutheran Church gave a moving opening prayer, and the mayor addressed the crowd, commending, first of all, Grand Marshal George Palmer, saying, "George, you are so very modest, but you are a hero, and your hometown is so proud to honor you today."

She then told of five local servicemen who lost their lives in service to their country.  They were Charlie Flammer, Princeton Class of 1941 and B25 Bomber pilot; Douglas von Buskirk, shot down during a night bombing raid in 1941; Mike Ransom, Bronxville High School and Colby College graduate who lost his life in 1968, just two months after arriving in Vietnam; and Ed Keeble, Bronxville School, Deerfield, and Princeton, who joined the Marines and became a gunship pilot.  "He kept enemy fire trained on him so an air ambulance could medevac the injured out of the jungle," the mayor said.  "He was shot down by the North Vietnamese, and he is buried at Arlington."  A hush fell over the crowd as the mayor spoke in awe of the sacrifices made by these men and the tragedy of it all.

Then Village Trustee Ann Poorman read out the names of dozens of local veterans and service members who had passed away since last Memorial Day.

Representatives from various community groups and agencies laid wreaths at the base of the flagpole, assisted by members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, followed by one last taps for the fallen soldiers.  Father Guy Vinci from St. Joseph's Church gave the benediction, and Dale Walker led the large crowd of onlookers in singing "America the Beautiful."

Afterward, local dignitaries headed for Bronxville's cemetery for a brief ceremony, where The Rev. Dr. Ken Ruge of The Reformed Church and Sister Vicki Carter of Christ Church gave the opening prayer and benediction, respectively.

Many families walked to the elementary school playground and school football field to enjoy carnival games and hamburgers and hot dogs sponsored by the Bronxville PTA.  Others went into the elementary school to see the Bronxville Veterans Memorial Exhibit, which documented Bronxville residents using photos, letters, and written accounts of those who served in wars from WWI to the present.

Hit the link below and see photos of the parade and Memorial Day Weekend events:
Memorial Day Weekend Photos

Pictured here:  (L to R) Marching in the Memorial Day parade are Judge George McKinnis, Trustee Anne Poorman, Eastchester Town Councilman Glenn Bellitto, Mayor Mary Marvin, County Executive Rob Astorino, and Trustee Donald Gray.

This photo and all of the many photos by N. Bower