Although Governor Andrew said at his daily briefing on Tuesday that Memorial Day ceremonies can now take place this coming weekend decisions not to hold a parade will not change in Oyster Bay, Locust Valley or in Bayville. Probably because, as the governor said, ceremonies must be limited to 10 or fewer people, and social distancing — standing six feet apart — must be maintained to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It would be difficult to hold a parade under those conditions.
“We usually have 300 to 400 kids march in our Memorial Day parade each year so we can’t do the parade,” said Reginald Butt, former commander of Oyster Bay’s Quentin Roosevelt Post 4. “And the veterans that would go are too old. I don’t want to expose them to the virus.”
Bayville’s commander, Vincent Libertini, said they were going to have two World War II veterans serve as their Grand Marshals in this year’s parade, which usually includes 1,500 marchers. The Robert H. Spittel Post 1285 also pays to transport members of the Navy and Marine Corps., who travel to Manhattan for Fleet Week each year. They march in the parade and the legion serves them breakfast and lunch too. The active duty servicemen and woman are a welcome addition each year to Bayville’s Memorial Day Parade which attracts many residents, Libertini said.
Cuomo also encouraged car parades to honor the fallen on Memorial Day, which will be marked officially on Monday, May 25. It isn’t clear yet if there will be any in Oyster Bay, Bayville or Locust Valley.