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TJH Speaks with Paris Popack, Coordinator of the Memorial Day Parade
The Jewish Home | MAY 26, 2022
TJH Speaks with Paris Popack, Coordinator of the Memorial Day Parade
Paris, the parade has been around for a while. When was the first Memorial Day Parade in the Five Towns?
The Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department Memorial Day Parade started 103 years ago, in 1919.
How did you become involved?
As Lawrence Civic Association president in 2019, I felt it was important to get involved in the parade. It seemed to be a good fit since I love the community, am a passionate patriot, and have experience managing community events.
Blessings from the LCFD Fire Department, Lawrence Mayor Alex Edelman and Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock gave me the green light to move forward.
How has the parade evolved in the past few years?
The parade has grown to approximately 70 entrant groups.
And how many people do you have marching every year?
About 200 people march in the parade.
this year?
We have an exciting line up, including a pipe and drum band, the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department members and trucks, the Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion #339, Veterans, the Aviation
High School AFJROTC, local schools and organizations, antique and exotic cars, a Mariachi band, David Haziza singing “Hallelujah,” an Uncle Sam stilt walker, local elected officials, and more.
It will be memorable for all ages, young and old – an event not to be missed! ple come out and line the sidewalks. This is a wonderful opportunity to salute the volunteer Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department and to honor our fallen military heroes, who died fighting for our liberties, and to show respect to their
families left behind. Attendee feedback over the years has been incredibly positive.
What do you tell people to remind them about coming out to the parade?
People should come out for the parade because we are all neighbors who should join in honoring those who gave their lives for our country. To show patriotism and appreciation is a noble value.
Do you have any interesting stories that you had while organizing the parade or while the parade was enroute?
We have discovered many veterans who felt honored to be included and remembered in this parade and ceremony. Each one is a hero whose stories are incredible, full of history and bravery.
How do you deal with the weather – many years it’s been rainy on the day of the parade.
We plan for all contingencies. We march in all weather, rain or shine, and soldier on.
Last year, we marched in light rain. We feel that if the soldiers can defend us in all weather, the least we could do is keep the parade alive in all weather. Hopefully, the weather will be sunny this year.
Will there be any changes to the parade this year?
We are planning a few surprises. We are happy to announce the addition of a children’s bike parade in the parade.
We are calling on Five Towns kids ages 5-12 to ride their decorated trikes, bikes, wagons and scooters (no motors).
JoMarie Capone, Village of Cedarhurt Deputy Mayor and
Assemblyman Ari Brown, and Trustee Myrna Zisman
Paris Popack, left, and Henya Storch
All riders must wear a helmet and be escorted by a parent/guardian throughout the parade route. Limit to the first 50 kids. Pre-registration is required by calling (516) 239-4600 ext. 103, Mon-Fri 8:30-3:30.
The parade ends at the park. What happens at Cedarhurst Park at the end of the parade?
At the end of the parade, there is a patriotic heart-warming ceremony in Andrew J. Parise Park in Cedarhurst. Lawrence High School sings the National Anthem, we salute and recognize the veterans, and local elected officials give brief, meaningful speeches. A printed program lists ceremony and parade information plus the event sponsors.
You’re involved in other community endeavors. How do you manage to put together such a big event every year?
Although the parade and the ceremony are about an hour, the behind-thescenes work to produce the event entails many months of detailed planning.
It is a collaborative team effort from the Villages of Cedarhurst and Lawrence.
The Parade coordinators are JoMarie Capone of Cedarhurst and myself, Paris Popack of Lawrence. Personally, it helps to have my event assistant, Henya Storch, my supportive husband Joseph, and my family encouraging me in this exciting effort. They are always by my side.
How many veterans are there in the Five Towns?
We would like to hear from as many veterans and families of veterans and hope they will accept the invitation to call us and register to march or ride in one of our celebrity cars. They or their families should call (516) 295-5570.
Veteran Syd Mandelbaum, a child of Holocaust survivors and commander of the American Legion Post #339, says, “From Atlantic Beach to the Five Towns, Lynbrook and Valley Stream there are about 150 veterans. We are always looking and finding more.”
Memorial Day has become a day about barbecues, but it’s truly a sad day, if we think about all the people who were lost fighting for our freedom. What are your thoughts on that?
We agree it is a day to pause, remember, and give thanks to honor those men and women who gave their lives for us to live in peace. The parade is produced with all ages in mind, so everyone can give respect and celebrate our great country. Many families and groups initiate the summer season with barbecues after attending the parade and services.
It is our hope that that is the order of this day.
Five Towners are lucky to have a local event in our main shopping/business district, and we don’t have to travel far, into the city, to attend the parade. The Sunday parade is in the morning, so there is plenty of time for barbecuing and shopping.
Should Jews, as a People who are makir tov, make an effort to come out to these types of events?
Yes, Jews who are makir tov should make a concerted effort to come out to this one-hour parade and ceremony, from start to finish, because it is an opportunity, individually and collectively, to say “thank you” to America and to the fallen soldiers for allowing us to live in freedom.
