American Legion Mitchell Post 281 has a Memorial Day plan that honors the fallen and protects the living, striking a balance in a community where military service is long-standing tradition and annual ceremonies of remembrance draw large crowds rain or shine.
The plan, first announced in April, calls for limited participation by members of the Legion, its Ladies Auxiliary and Shelter Island Fire Department, with some in-person spectators. The Town says it will film the event for broadcast via social media, on its website and on Channel 22, the Town’s public access station.
“This year’s Memorial Day Parade/Ceremony will be significantly different from those of the past here on Shelter Island,” the Legion said in a plan reviewed at a Town Board Work Session in April. Commander Dave Clark and Post 281 board have “formulated a plan that focuses strictly on the meaning of Memorial Day.”
The day typically has four components: a wreath-laying for sailors lost at sea that takes place near the Town dock on Bridge Street; a festive parade that swings twice through the Center featuring representatives of the Town’s service organizations with music provided by the school band; a ceremony outside the Legion Hall, and a Community BBQ on the Legion lawn sponsored by the Shelter Island Lion’s Club.
Last year, members of the Legion pre-recorded a pared-down version of the ceremonies, along with a video montage of remembrances of the fallen, in a program that was aired on Channel 22 at the usual parade start time. There was also a Town-wide moment of silence.
Here’s the plan for this year’s commemorations:
Lost at Sea Ceremony
- Members of the firing detail will report to the Legion by 7:30 AM to secure their weapons and for a quick rehearsal
- Members of the American Legion & Shelter Island Fire Department will report to the Chase Creek staging area using their personal vehicles
- Marching ceremony will begin promptly at 8 AM, with a march in formation to Piccozzi’s Dock
- Throwing of the Wreaths/21 Gun Salute/Taps
- Legion and SIFD members will march back to Chase Creek staging area for dismissal
The Lost at Sea ceremony traditionally attracts a small number of spectators — typically no more than 20. “We will ask those who wish to attend to please wear a mask and maintain social distancing,” the Legion plan says.
Parade & Ceremony at Shelter Island Center
The Legion is taking steps to ensure that the focus of this portion of the day is on the meaning of Memorial Day — honoring fallen soldiers. Toward that end:
- There will be NO school involvement in the parade
- There will be NO vehicles in the parade
- The parade will involve both the American Legion and SIFD members who will be marching — again, NO fire trucks or other vehicles will be involved
- The parade route will be shortened and limited to just the area on Route 114 between the Center Firehouse and the Legion Hall
- There will be NO guest speaker
- There will be NO festivities after the conclusion of the parade/ceremony
Here’s the order of events:
- Marching of Legion & Fire Department at 10 AM
- Greeting from the Post Commander or his designee
- Invocation by Father Peter De Sanctis of Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church, or his designee
- Father Peter will read the list of 19 Shelter Islanders who are listed as killed in action
- Member of the Women’s Auxiliary will lay wreaths at the memorial stones
- The firing detail will provide a 21 gun salute
- Taps will be played
Masks and social distancing will be required for all who attend. Organizers will provide microphones at the short ceremony, so there is no need to gather closely together.
Tradition of military service
Shelter Island has a tradition of military service. The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates 15 percent of year-round Islanders have served in a branch of the Armed Forces. That’s the highest figure reported anywhere in Suffolk and Nassau Counties. While the estimate has a large margin error, the result is likely a combination of the Island being a retirement community and having a deep-rooted tradition of service. It isn’t unusual for one or two graduates from Shelter Island High School to go directly into the military or for other alumni to join during or after college.
Scouts to help with flags
Commander Clark will be asking Island scouts to help with the placing of US flags on the graves of veterans buried in our cemeteries. That will take place on Sunday, May 30 starting at 4 PM at the Legion Hall.
