May 28, 2014:  Bronxville residents, local dignitaries, veterans, and area marching units turned out in force to mark the village's 94th annual Memorial Day parade and commemoration on May 26.

Pipers, drummers, and brass players warmed up as dignitaries from Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Eastchester, and Westchester County arrived to take part in the day's ceremonies.

With the marching units in place along Parkway Road, Grand Marshal Bob Riggs opened the official ceremonies at Leonard Morange Park on the west side of town. Wreathes were laid at the flagpole memorials to honor veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The New York 5th Regiment in full military costume fired a musket salute to honor the fallen.

Riggs called the parade's marching units to order and took his place in front of the color guard to lead the march along Pondfield Road to The Bronxville School. Many enthusiastic and patriotic parade goers had set up chairs and spread blankets curbside to get their best view of friends, neighbors, and children who participated in the parade.

A long caravan of antique cars, including vintage Fords from the 1920s and 1930s and Chevrolet Corvettes from the 1950s and 1960s, preceded Grand Marshal Riggs and the marching units.

Local veterans, some marching and some riding the Tuckahoe Trolley, received appreciative cheers and rounds of applause from the crowd.

Bronxville Mayor Mary Marvin, Deputy Mayor Robert Underhill, and trustees Anne W. Poorman, Guy Longobardo, and Donald Gray walked the parade route along with Eastchester Town Supervisor Anthony Colavita, Town Counclilman Glenn Belitto and Tuckahoe Mayor Steve Ecklond.

The Sword of Light Pipe Band, the Patriot Brass Ensemble and Marching Band, and the Boy Scout Band provided music that delighted and inspired people of all ages. The X-Factor Drum Line's intricate, precise rhythms echoed along Pondfield Road and stirred the crowd's excitement.

Participants from The Bronxville Historical Conservancy, the Knights of Columbus, the Bronxville Police Department, the Eastchester Fire Department, the local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and The Chapel School symbolized the legacy of service and volunteerism established by those who have served and serve in the military.

Mayor Mary Marvin, in her commemoration remarks on the front lawn of The Bronxville School, noted Grand Marshal Bob Riggs's service in the United States Air Force during the Cold War in a B-47 Stratojet, a six-engine Flying Fortress bomber. She noted that, although Riggs did not experience active combat during his tour of duty, he did have a tense moment, "sitting in his plane on alert . . . when it was only halted by a radio cancellation from President Eisenhower himself."

Marvin noted that the small village of Bronxville has had more than its share of heroes who were at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed and who participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima and the taking of Normandy Beach. Village residents have served in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. "Thanks to the heroism exhibited by men and women of this caliber," she said, "the rest of us should be quite aware that to be born free is an accident, to live free is a privilege, to die free is a responsibility."

Trustee Anne W. Poorman read the honor roll of Bronxville veterans who have passed away since Memorial Day 2013. The list of twenty-two names included ten veterans from World War II, six from the Korean War, and one Vietnam veteran.

Local groups honored fallen veterans in laying wreathes at the foot of the school flagpole. Representatives from the following organizations participated:  The Bronxville Historical Conservancy, the Bronxville Engine and Fire Company, Lawrence Hospital volunteer groups, the Bronxville Beautification Council, the Anne Hutchinson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Senior Citizens of Bronxville, and The Bronxville Women's Club. Local veterans also laid wreathes to honor their fellow servicemen and women.

Dale Walker, a direct descendant of Leonard Morange, invited everyone assembled to join her in singing all four verses of "America the Beautiful" to end the ceremony.

To see photos of the parade and commemoration, click here:  Memorial Day 2014: Parade and Commemoration.

Pictured here:  Grand Marshal Robert Riggs leading the Memorial Day parade.

Photo by A. Warner; photos in link by N. Bower and A. Warner