Moriches community honors veterans

Beneath a gun-metal sky and pelting rain, men and women of local civic, community and merchant groups, as well as state, county and town dignitaries turned out for the 2025 Veterans Day parade, held this year on Nov. 9.

On hand to honor our service members, past and present, were county executive Ed Romaine, Legis. Jim Mazzarella, Sen. Dean Murray, assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, Brookhaven Town supervisor Dan Panico, councilwoman Karen Dunne-Kesnig as well as local fire departments, scouting groups, chamber of commerce representatives and community members, all of whom joined grand marshal Ina Casali and her family and members of VFW 414 for an invocation, wreath-laying ceremony, and commemorative speech at Soldiers and Sailors Park, in East Moriches.

Shielded from the rain by an umbrella held by a gallant supervisor Panico, Ina Casali delivered a stirring address honoring service: acknowledging its hardships; the need for endurance; the pride in our veterans; the duty to our country.