Glen Cove Veteran to Lead Port Washington Parade

Port Washington Memorial Day Parade Grandmaster John Fiore said he is not the kind of guy who thinks every day should be Memorial Day. glen cove

Still he would like to see everyone "at the very least thank a vet" for his or her service, "so the men and women that didn't make [it] home will be remembered," he pointed out. 

The Sands Point Auto Body employee who has worked in Port Washington for the past seven years also served as a member of the U.S. Army from 1968 until 1970.

The Glen Cove resident said he is "very proud of being a Vietnam vet" and was voted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1819 to lead this year's parade. Fiore is also a member of the American Legion and the Catholic War Veterans; he is also a chaplain of the VFW.

"These veteran groups keep the public aware of the fact that we should never forget what made this country so great," Fiore said.

He added, "Sure, there were many factors that contribute to this country being so great but no one factor contributed so many lives to get there and I will continue to spread the word that we all should never forget our vets – alive or dead."

Referring to Memorial Day, Fiore said, "this day belongs to the real heroes, the ones that did not make it back."