The United Veterans Memorial and Patriotic Association of New Rochelle and the City of New Rochelle will again present the Memorial Day Parade on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2011.
This year’s event is sponsored through the generosity of Monroe College.
Themed “We Remember”, the Memorial Day Parade honors the memory and contribution of those who died in service to our country. A special tribute will be paid this year to Vietnam Veterans. This year’s Grand Marshals are Brigadier General Donald B. Smith and Brigadier General of 101st Airborne Fermijon Marrero.
“The United Veterans Memorial and Patriotic Association is very proud to bring back the New Rochelle Memorial Day Parade for a fourth straight year,” said UVMPA Parade Coordinator Peter Parente. “We encourage everyone to attend the ceremony at Memorial Plaza, line the streets along the parade route, and fall in behind the parade to Hudson Park to show ‘WE REMEMBER’ that freedom is NOT free.”
The parade will feature Marines and sailors from Fleet Week, the New Rochelle Police and Fire Departments, the USO “Liberty Bells”, color guards, bands and members of all military branches. The parade will begin with a brief ceremony at Memorial Plaza at 10:30 am and will kick off around 11 am up Memorial Highway to Huguenot Street, North Avenue and finally Pelham Road into Hudson Park for a waterfront ceremony honoring those lost at sea.
The event continues with a Picnic in the Park, featuring a $1 menu with delicious food from AJ’s Burgers, Pronto Pizza and the Post Road Ale House, and live music at the bandshell all afternoon.
This year’s special guests are the West Point Jazz Knights at 3 pm. Other musical acts include the USO “Liberty Bells”, the A to Z and Third Stone bands, and singer Joan Crowe. Military equipment will be on display throughout the park and a USMC helicopter will land at 2 pm. Crafts, games, and more!
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Biography of Brigadier General Donald B. Smith
Brigadier General Donald B. Smith was born in Danbury, Connecticut, and grew up in Patterson, New York. He graduated New York Military Academy in 1965 and the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1969, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Armor.
During his company grade years he served as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Cavalry Troop Commander, Instructor, and Company Tactical Officer in a variety of assignments at Fort Ord, California; Fort Knox, Kentucky; West Point, New York; and in the Republic of Vietnam. His tour in Vietnam included service as both a Platoon Leader and Troop Commander in C Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry.
His distinguished Army career spanned decades and continents and concluded in 1995. In 2001, Donald B. Smith was elected Sheriff of Putnam County, having previously served as the Deputy County Executive of Putnam County. His bio is available at www.putnamsheriff.com/donald-b- smith.
Biography of Brigadier General Fermijon Marrero
Brig. General Fermijon Marrero is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute class of 65, holds a BS in Forensics and a MBA in Corporate Operations from Rochville University. He is a retired officer from active Military Intelligence achieving a distinguished military record. He received the rank of Brigadier General while serving in the Army Reserves.
His service record includes one of the few Americans who escaped from a Vietnam Prisoner of War camp, service as a Green Beret, Army Ranger, distinguished sharpshooter, Master Parachutist, numerous posts around the world, and special operations officer. In addition he has worked with youth as an adult leader and teacher to Army Cadets in the National Defense Cadet Corps.
In civilian life and the private sector General Fermijon Marrero has worked in the City of New York Medical Examiner’s office and private security. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese, and has extensive knowledge of law administration.