Donald Gray to Lead Memorial Day Parade as Grand Marshal
By Carol Bartold, Senior Reporter
May 24, 2017: "It's quite something to be in the company of so many distinguished past grand marshals," said Donald Gray of his selection as grand marshal for Bronxville's 2017 Memorial Day parade. "It was a surprise and an honor."
Although Gray was selected as grand marshal for the 2016 parade, the event was rained out. Village officials decided he should get the opportunity to enjoy the honor this year.
This year's parade will be held on Monday, May 29, beginning at 9:00 am.
Gray, a United States Army veteran, served as an artillery officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the home of the United States Army Field Artillery School. During his two years of service from May 1966 to May 1968, Gray qualified to be a missile officer and did some teaching at the Artillery School.
Although his service in the military coincided with the Vietnam War, Gray's area of training and expertise was focused on the Cold War in Europe. "My training was in air defense artillery, and that wasn't an issue in Vietnam," he explained. "I thought I was going to go to Germany and be stationed on the East German border." Orders that came through for Gray to report to Germany were changed and he served his two years stateside.
"I think people's view of military service has changed since the Vietnam era," Gray said. "It was a tough time. I don't think a career in the Army was particularly highly regarded when I got out of college." He noted that, during his two years in the Army, he gained "a lot of respect that maybe should have been there in the first place, and wasn't."
Gray recounted that in serving under highly qualified officers and colleagues, he developed a deep respect for the expertise they brought to military service. The second in command in his unit, an engineer, earned his PhD from Caltech, and one of Gray's colleagues came to the Army with a master's degree in physics.
Gray, who served as a village trustee for a total of eight years over two non-consecutive terms, said he took great joy in marching in every Memorial Day parade during that time. "It was fun to walk and have all your neighbors and friends wave to you."
He added that serving with his fellow trustees was a pleasure. The fact that several of them are still in office and chose him to be the last year's grand marshal and held over the honor to this year makes the selection "extra special."
For more information about the Memorial Day parade and other festivities, click here for an article about the parade and commemoration, click here for a listing of Memorial Day events sponsored by the Bronxville School PTA, the Village of Bronxville, and the Town of Eastchester, click here for an article about a dedication ceremony honoring the Kennedy family's residence in Bronxville from 1929 to 1941, and click here for an article about the Town of Eastchester Memorial Day events.
Pictured here: Donald Gray, grand marshal for this year's Memorial Day parade in Bronxville.
Photo at top by A. Warner; photo in text by N. Bower
Government & History Directory
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400
Government & History Recent Articles
Quick Links
Newsletter
MyhometownBroxnville reserves the right to monitor and remove all comments. For more information on Posting Rules, please review our Rules and Terms of Use, both of which govern the use and access of this site. Thank you.
The information presented here is for informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to present accurate information, myhometownBronxville, LLC, does not in any way accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information herein. We urge all users to independently confirm any information provided herein and consult with an appropriate professional concerning any material issue of fact or law. The views and opinions expressed by the writers, event organizers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of myhometownBronxville, LLC, its officers, staff or contributors. The use of this website is governed by the Terms of Use . No portion of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed, either in whole or part, without the express written consent of the publisher.
Copyright © 2009 myhometownbronxville.com, All rights reserved.