Memorial Day Brings Out Families and Friends to Honor Veterans and Celebrate Special Community Holiday: See Many Photos
May 30, 2012: Grand Marshal George B. Palmer, Jr. led the 92nd Memorial Day parade from Leonard Morange Square on the west side of town through the business district on Pondfield Road to The Bronxville School on a sunny Memorial Day, Monday, May 28. Palmer is a veteran of WW II and the Korean War and a former prisoner of war, and he has been a resident of Bronxville for over 40 years.
He was followed by local dignitaries, including Mayor Mary Marvin, village trustees Donald Gray and Anne Poorman, and village justice George McKinnis.
Also accompanying Bronxville officials this year were County Executive Rob Astorino, Eastchester Town Supervisor Anthony Colavita, and Eastchester Town Councilman Glenn Bellitto. Later in the parade came the chairman of the Eastchester Fire Board, Ray Albanese, accompanied by other board members. Out of sight most of the time, but always on hand, was Village Administrator Harry Porr, who oversaw the planning and execution of the parade.
Model As and Model T Fords were part of a collection of vintage cars that followed the dignitaries. Bagpipers and an impressive drum corps from the John Philip Sousa High School in the Bronx provided music and beat to keep the marchers in step.
Representatives of various civic organizations and agencies, including the Bronxville Beautification Council, Lawrence Hospital Center, the Daughters of the American Revolution, The Bronxville Women's Club, the Senior Citizens Council, and the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Brownies, were not far behind. The colorful grand finale was provided by kids decked out in red, white, and blue. Noticeably missing this year was the Bronxville League of Women Voters, which closed down earlier this year.
At a bandstand in front of The Bronxville School, The Rev. Robert Hartwell of the Bronxville Village Lutheran Church gave a moving opening prayer, and the mayor addressed the crowd, commending, first of all, Grand Marshal George Palmer, saying, "George, you are so very modest, but you are a hero, and your hometown is so proud to honor you today."
She then told of five local servicemen who lost their lives in service to their country. They were Charlie Flammer, Princeton Class of 1941 and B25 Bomber pilot; Douglas von Buskirk, shot down during a night bombing raid in 1941; Mike Ransom, Bronxville High School and Colby College graduate who lost his life in 1968, just two months after arriving in Vietnam; and Ed Keeble, Bronxville School, Deerfield, and Princeton, who joined the Marines and became a gunship pilot. "He kept enemy fire trained on him so an air ambulance could medevac the injured out of the jungle," the mayor said. "He was shot down by the North Vietnamese, and he is buried at Arlington." A hush fell over the crowd as the mayor spoke in awe of the sacrifices made by these men and the tragedy of it all.
Then Village Trustee Ann Poorman read out the names of dozens of local veterans and service members who had passed away since last Memorial Day.
Representatives from various community groups and agencies laid wreaths at the base of the flagpole, assisted by members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, followed by one last taps for the fallen soldiers. Father Guy Vinci from St. Joseph's Church gave the benediction, and Dale Walker led the large crowd of onlookers in singing "America the Beautiful."
Afterward, local dignitaries headed for Bronxville's cemetery for a brief ceremony, where The Rev. Dr. Ken Ruge of The Reformed Church and Sister Vicki Carter of Christ Church gave the opening prayer and benediction, respectively.
Many families walked to the elementary school playground and school football field to enjoy carnival games and hamburgers and hot dogs sponsored by the Bronxville PTA. Others went into the elementary school to see the Bronxville Veterans Memorial Exhibit, which documented Bronxville residents using photos, letters, and written accounts of those who served in wars from WWI to the present.
Hit the link below and see photos of the parade and Memorial Day Weekend events:
Memorial Day Weekend Photos
Pictured here: (L to R) Marching in the Memorial Day parade are Judge George McKinnis, Trustee Anne Poorman, Eastchester Town Councilman Glenn Bellitto, Mayor Mary Marvin, County Executive Rob Astorino, and Trustee Donald Gray.
This photo and all of the many photos by N. Bower
Government & History Directory
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400
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