Mild, sunny weather created a perfect setting for the Sixth Annual East End Emerald Society St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Jamesport today.
The New York City Police Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums marched in the Jamesport parade this year to honor two fallen brethren, Det. Brian Simonsen, who was killed in the line of duty last month and retired Chief of Detectives Jack Cuddy, who passed away in October at age 92. The pipe band stopped for a special tribute — “Amazing Grace” — at Jamesport Cemetery, where Simonsen, a Jamesport native, is buried.
Cuddy lived his last years in Jamesport and was the first grand marshal of the East End Emerald Society parade in 2014. He was a charter member of the NYC Police Department Emerald Society
The Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band and the Suffolk County Police Pipes and Drums also marched — along with contingents of uniformed officers from each department. The Riverhead Police Department also marched, led by Riverhead Chief of Police David Hegermiller.
Fire departments from Jamesport, Riverhead, Wading River, Southold, Orient and New Hyde Park participated.
The grand marshal of the parade this year was Joseph Grattan, retired Riverhead chief of police. Grattan, dapper in his green blazer and top hat, carried his great-grandfather’s shillelagh — a wooden walking stick. He was joined by his children and grandchildren and watched the parade from the reviewing stand, where emcee Mason Haas introduced each group marching down the road.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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