Long Island honors V-E Day with historic parade at Eisenhower Park

An authentic World War II Sherman tank will lead a parade of vintage military armored vehicles in the Old Bethpage-based Museum of American Armor’s first full-scale celebration of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, which ended World War II in Europe 80 years ago. 

The parade, which begins at 1:30 p.m. May 24 in Parking Field 5 at Eisenhower Park and continues throughout the park’s roadways, will feature a Winston Churchill impressionist, active service members and — possibly — veterans of the war , parade officials say.

"This effort is a means to connect people with the heroes in their own families who — 80 years ago, literally rescued humanity," museum founder and president Lawrence Kadish says in an email statement. Noting that Long Island became home to tens of thousands of World War II veterans, many of whom have since died, Kadish adds, "This is an opportunity to keep their legacy front and center."

"Anything they can do for veterans, I like," says Dominick Critelli, 104, of Floral Park, who served as an airplane-engine mechanic in World War II. 

"I’m going to do whatever I can while I’m still alive," says Critelli, who last June was one of 11 American servicemen awarded the French Legion of Honor by French President Emmanuel Macron in a ceremony attended by then-U. S. President Joe Biden and other world leaders.

Museum spokesman Gary Lewi says the organization is reaching out to include marchers from Long Island veterans groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Jewish War Veterans and local nurses organizations.

"If a World War II vet joins us — he or she will have a VIP seat in a jeep," Lewi says.

HONORING HEROES WITH DISPLAYS AND A PARADE

Active U.S. Marines will be participating in the Dan Daly Cup Challenge, which showcases physical agility and strength. The challenge, named after one of only two Marines to win the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor twice, will be held at the park from 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

By tradition, Navy and Marine helicopters will fly in from Fleet Week New York, New York City’s annual celebration of the U.S. Sea services, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard (May 21-27, cnrma.cnic.navy.mil). Visitors can see the choppers up close and speak to their crews from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eisenhower’s Parking Field 2.

Beginning at 10 a.m., a dozen vintage military vehicles will be at Parking Field 5. In addition to the iconic Sherman tank, the parade lineup features a Command Car, two Greyhound armored cars, a reconnaissance  vehicle, a British Dingo armored car, a World War II fire truck, and a jeep pulling the historic Zahn's  control tower on a trailer. Reenactors from the Long Island Living History Association representing World War II  G. I.s will march alongside the vehicles.

"It is really interesting they are not just looking at military equipment, they are also interested in presenting political figures from the time period," says Luke Boyd, 37, of Staten Island, who will be at the park doing an impression of Winston Churchill, prime minister of the United Kingdom during World War II.

Boyd says he will be wearing a Brooks Brothers recreation of Churchill’s Savile Row outfit, and mimicking Churchill’s voice with historic speeches and "quick repartee" with attendees.

The parade ends with a 2:30 p.m. ceremony featuring remarks by local public officials and representatives from the British Consulate.

U.S. Navy World War II veteran, Arthur Grabiner, 99, of North Flushing, Queens, who served in the World War II in the Pacific, says through his son, Douglas A. Grabiner, of Manhattan, that he is "grateful to Long Islanders for remembering" the anniversary.

Grabiner, a "very active living historian" who volunteers at Intrepid Museum in Manhattan, encouraged others to attend the Long Island parade, explaining in a statement emailed by his son, "For many Americans, the next time they meet a World War II veteran may be the last time they meet a World War II veteran."