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Sayville’s Memorial Day Parade previously scheduled to take place later this month has officially been cancelled, the Sayville Fire Department announced today.
“It saddens us to anounce that, in accordance with NYS Executive Orders regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, and with the safety of our members and our community in mind, we must cancel our annual Memorial Day Parade,” reads a Facebook post from the department, which hosts the annual event.
Thousands of people typically line Main Street for the parade, a longstanding Sayville tradition that honors the men and women who served and sacrificed in the U.S. military.
The parade is among many being cancelled during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week extended his New York State on Pause executive order until June 4.
“Weddings, funeral services, birthday parties, communions, parades…….the list of cancellations seems endless during these trying times,” the fire department wrote on Facebook. “The hosting of the Memorial Day Parade is a 100+ year old tradition that we take great pride in.
“The cancellation of the event during the time of a national and deadly pandemic is firmly in line with our mission statement which prioritizes saving lives,” the department added.
The department said American flags will be placed “on the graves of our fallen” and the fire chief’s office will “privately honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service to our great country and community.”
One Facebook commenter seemed to sum up the sentiments of the community when she posted, “Now that’s a real bummer but I suppose that has to be to keep everyone safe. Not sure who is sorrier, you or the residents of the area.”
