| Mother Nature may have rained on the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department’s annual Memorial Day Parade, but that didn’t put a complete damper on the day’s festivities.
Like most fire departments throughout Westchester County, the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department announced by late Sunday afternoon the cancellation of its Memorial Day Parade. But Golden’s Bridge firefighters pivoted to make sure the ceremonial portion of its annual event was held as planned. Transitioning the ceremony indoors didn’t skip a beat in bringing together the community for this important and solemn day of remembrance.
Veterans, elected officials, Golden’s Bridge firefighters, members of the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Scouts, local residents and other attendees assembled inside the firehouse to pay tribute to the self-sacrifice of military service members who never made it home. It was a respectful and dignified celebration of the lives lost, including three of the veterans whose names are among the 76 inscribed on the American Legion Monument at the entrance of the firehouse, according to Golden’s Bridge fire officials
The ceremony was highlighted by several presentations, guest speakers and performers, many of them local residents, veterans, elected officials, and volunteers.
A large contingent of Golden’s Bridge firefighters in dress uniform and an equally large group of members of the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps lined the periphery of the crowd. The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department Color Guard’s presentation of the colors was followed by a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Golden’s Bridge resident and theatrical performer Heather Mieko Lackey. Rabbi Arik Wolf, of Chabad of Bedford, and Fr. Jude Aguwa, parochial vicar of St. Joseph’s Church in Golden’s Bridge, delivered the invocations.
Grand Marshal Edward Brancati didn’t get to lead the parade, but was given a rousing ovation when he was acknowledged during the ceremony for his service in the U.S. Army, nearly 40 years as a public servant in County government, and more than three decades of volunteer service as Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Golden’s Bridge Fire District.
Memorial Day reflections were provided by New York State Assembly Member Chris Burdick, a strong advocate for emergency services and veterans who represents the 93rd assembly district, and Lewisboro Town Supervisor Tony Goncalves. Deputy Supervisor Mary Shah and Member Richard Sklarin also were among the elected officials and dignitaries who attended.
John Lemke, chair of the Town of Lewisboro Veterans Advisory Committee, addressed the gathering before Mark Vibert, an active member of the committee, presented the touching and poignant story of veteran Charles Mead, a World War II P-51 pilot who didn’t make it home, and whose family roots run deep in Lewisboro.
The tradition of presenting the roll call of Golden’s Bridge residents who served in both world wars and whose names are engraved on the bronze plaques on the historic 4-ton granite American Legion Monument outside the Golden’s Bridge firehouse, was led by Fire Commissioner Joseph Simoncini, Fire Chief Albert Melillo, and Captain Ray Baker, Jr. Tom Gossett, of Gossett Brothers Nursery in South Salem, followed the roll call with the solemn sound of taps, the 24-note melody that represents gratitude, a final farewell, and a promise that the sacrifice of fallen heroes will never be forgotten.
The iconic fire bell tolled as Steven Mines, a firefighter and president of the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department, ceremoniously raised the flag outside the firehouse half-staff, a powerful visual symbol of the Nation mourning the men and women who died in service to their country. Brancati, Melillo, Lemke and Vibert then placed ceremonial wreaths at the American Legion Monument, followed by the singing of God Bless America by Allison Brancati, the grand marshal’s daughter. The ceremony concluded with participants and attendees enjoying refreshments. |
