Re-enactment helps mark Sagamore Hill Fourth of July

Few cabbages were spared Sunday when the Rough Riders came to Sagamore Hill.

Members of the Nassau-Suffolk Horsemen's Association transformed themselves into Theodore Roosevelt's volunteer regiment from the Spanish-American War at his Cove Neck home, demonstrating formations and tactics for hundreds of onlookers.

That's where the cabbages came in. With sabers drawn, riders took turns trying to slice cabbages mounted on poles that stood in for the heads of Spanish soldiers fighting in Cuba. The fact that the real Rough Riders had to leave their horses behind in Florida in 1898 didn't take away from the drama of the demonstration.

Colin Conalty, 4, of Massapequa, was captivated, particularly by the horse that nuzzled him before the demonstration. Then he was invited to participate in a flag-raising with crew from the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt and park rangers.

Returning to his mother, Pat, he asked, "Can we come here again next year?"
After their cavalry demonstration in a field behind the main house, the Rough Riders joined the 26th president - actor James Foote of Sea Cliff - as he addressed visitors from the porch.

He told the crowd that being an American is not a question of "birthplace, creed or color," but rather a question of purpose and ideals.

He urged the members of the crowd to be good citizens in their communities and embrace hard work. "Far better it is to run the risk of wearing out than rusting out," he said.