A Tribute to Our Veterans
(from the collections of the Three Village Historical Society)
Originally written for the 2008 Historian
“The parade will form at the dock in East Setauket at 2:30 p.m. Labor Day and will proceed from there promptly at 3 o’clock to the new park, where simple ceremonies will be held to dedicate it in honor of the men from Setauket and East Setauket who served in the Army and Navy.” The date was Sept. 1st, 1919. The event the “Our Hero Parade” which formally welcomed local boys home from the World War and paid tribute to two local boys who gave their lives in service to their country.
A parade complete with dignitaries, fraternal organizations, music, and decorated cars and carriages included one float titled “Birds of the Park” upon which Verna Baldwin (later Eikov) rode. The new park on the corner of Shore Road was dedicated and the march proceeded to the Village Green where the main ceremonies were held.
A memorial to Raymond Wishart and Harry Golden “who sacrificed their lives to the cause” was dedicated on the Green and still stands there today.There was a “presentation of medals to the service men of Setauket and East Setauket, in token of the honor in which their villages hold their Army and Navy men.”The front of the medal pictures an eagle and the words “They did not pass 1917-1918”.The reverse reads “Presented by the people of Setauket, N.Y. in grateful recognition of patriotic service in the World War 1917-1918”. (The medal pictured was recently purchased by TVHS from a dealer on Ebay.)
The day’s festivities ended with a dinner and vaudeville show and dance held at Mechanic’s Hall (This hall is now part of the Setauket Methodist Church building).