Sailors and Marines participated in the annual Village of Hastings-on-Hudson Memorial Day Parade as part of Fleet Week New York (FWNY), May 29.

Maj. Gen. Brian Beaudreault, commanding general, 2nd Marine Division, said he was honored to be the guest speaker for the event and felt a personal connection to the town.

"It's a tremendous privilege to come to Hastings for the parade today," he said. "My mother and two aunts grew up here, so I wanted to be here today. It's great coming to towns like this -- who have citizens who have gone forward throughout the wars and didn't come home -- and recognize those friends and those from a different generation and war on Memorial Day."

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) James Daley Post 200, Hastings Fire Department and Hastings Recreation Department sponsor the parade each year.

"The fire department has been having the military come up here for about five years now," said Bob Russak, Hastings Fire Department chief. "We have a number of vets in the department and the guys enjoy doing it.

Hastings-on-Hudson is home to approximately 8,000 residents, many of whom showed their support and enthusiasm during the annual parade.

"I come to the parade every year," said Terry Cocchaarella, a Hastings resident for 40 years. "It was a wonderful parade; seeing all the service members was very moving."

Lt. Col. John Chang, a Hastings native, was the grand marshal for the parade.

"From the early stage of America's families, our great nation has been blessed with generation after generation of patriots who would lay down their lives in defense of our freedoms and way of life," he said. "Many men and women have selflessly answered the call of nations in need, greatly serving with dedication and honor despite grave risks. We are truly fortunate to live in a country worth fighting for, [and] to be afforded a way of life worth dying for."

The parade allowed service members to interact with area citizens and remember fallen comrades.

"Today's parade definitely opened my eyes about how much the people really care about the armed forces," said Cpl. Oscar Reddick, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. "It was invigorating to actually see and witness the American people celebrating all of the fallen."

The parade concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony at memorial sites for fallen veterans from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War.

"Today we paid tribute to the heroic patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice -- those who bravely rose up and fought for something greater than themselves, protecting a home from which they never returned," said Chang. "We honor their service, mourn their loss, and remember the families they left behind."

The Village of Hastings-on-Hudson Parade is one of the various events sea service members attended during Fleet Week. Held nearly every year since 1984, it is the city's celebration of the sea services. FWNY provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services.

For up-to-date information on all Fleet Week events, visit the official Fleet Week New York website at http://www.fleetweeknewyork.com/, "Like" FleetWeekNewYork on Facebook, and "Follow" @FleetWeekNYC on Twitter. Fleet Week New York photos can be viewed on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/fleetweeknyc/ and Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwynpao/. Join the conversation on social media by using #FleetWeekNYC.

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For more news from Commander, Navy Region Mid Atlantic, visit http://www.navy.mil/.