Rain dampens attendance, but not the spirit, of Memorial Day ceremonies

At first, it looked like Memorial Day would be a washout again, a repeat of 2016.

Mike Pankowski, coordinator of the holiday parade and ceremonies on behalf of the Combined Veterans Committee of Riverhead, kept a close eye on the local radar early this morning, trying to decide whether or not to cancel the event.

“I hated the idea of canceling it two years in a row,” Pankowski said. So he watched the rain come down and monitored the large green and yellow mass of wet weather on the radar screen — and he waited, deciding he’d make the decision as near as possible to the parade’s scheduled 10 a.m. start time. Pankowski pulled the trigger with only about 15 minutes to spare.

The steady rain gave way to lighter rain as the parade processed to the World War monument on the corner of West Main and Court streets, where wreaths were placed in front of the monument erected to commemorate Riverhead men who gave their lives in “the war to end all wars” a century ago.

It was just drizzling by the time the parade marched passed a smattering of onlookers on Main Street and Roanoke Avenue — a route usually lined with flag-waving spectators — and stopped at St. John’s Cemetery. The drizzle lingered and slowed at the Civil War monument in Riverhead Cemetery, where the Rev. Oliver W. Myles led a prayer of remembrance and peace.

By the time the small crowd reassembled at the World War II memorial outside Pulaski Street School, the sky brightened and the sun peeked through the clouds, albeit for just a few moments. But the rain stopped long enough for the ceremony to take place as planned.

The Rev. Rick Saladon offered a prayer and Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter gave a speech about duty and sacrifice.

Riverhead High School senior Daniel Jones played taps at each ceremony. Nancy Danowski and Judy Hettrick sang “The Star Spangled Banner” at the conclusion of the main ceremony.

The cold temperature and rain made for a much smaller than usual parade today. The high school marching band sat it out, as did the Girl Scouts and all but one troop of Boy Scouts. A small band of boys representing Riverhead Little League marched. Riverhead and Jamesport fire departments, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance and Flanders Northampton Volunteer Ambulance participated. Members of the Riverhead Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts marched, as did members of the organizations’ auxiliaries and members of the Riverhead Town Board.

Unfortunately, ceremonies at Calverton National Cemetery were canceled due to the rainy forecast.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti