Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow Honor Military at Parade

The slight drizzle had turned to sunshine as residents of both Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow gathered at Patriot’s Park Monday morning to remember those in the armed forces.

Veterans from the American Legion and the VFW led the Memorial Day service. Veterans representing each U.S. war since the Civil War placed a flag in the ground in front of the War Memorial at Patriot’s Park.

Cub Scouts accompanied the veterans and helped place the flags in the ground.

The Memorial Day service also included a 21-gun salute and musical performances from the Sleepy Hollow Middle and High School Band.

Speaker Col. Jan Kozlowski urged the crowd to remember those who lost their lives, as well as those who are currently fighting. Kozlowki’s daughter Teresa is one such person.

Kozlowski said she’s been in the military for a year and a half. Teresa, who is a member of the 101st Airborne Division, has been fighting in Afghanistan and recently lost eight of her comrades after an ambush.

County Legislator Alfreda Williams also spoke on the sacrifices of men and women killed in the armed forces.

“Never, never, never forget the sacrifices they made,” she said.

Sleepy Hollow Mayor Ken Wray urged residents to remember the real reason behind Memorial Day: the sacrifices of men and women who fight for this country. Tarrytown Mayor Drew Fixell also encouraged residents to remember the men and women who gave their lives for this country.

A joint Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow parade preceded the Memorial Day service.

The Tarrytowns’ VFW Drum and Bugle Corps led the Memorial Parade. Veterans, boy scouts, girl scouts, police and firefighters were among the parade’s marchers.

A small crowd gathered along North Broadway to watch the parade at 9 in the morning. More people arrived as the weather cleared in time for the Memorial Day service.

“I thought it was a nice parade,” Faisal Khoder, of Sleepy Hollow, said.

Khoder said he remembered the parade as a little kid when you had to fight for a spot along Broadway because of the crowds. Today he noted that it wasn’t as long or crowded as it used to be, but there still were people who came out to support those who served.

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