Legionnaires led by Grand Marshal Capt. Thomas Ryder, Nassau D.A. Kathleen Rice and Lt. John Bayer step off in the Memorial Day Parade. On May 25, 2009, Memorial Day, the Garden City American Legion sponsored the Church Services, Parade and Ceremonies at the Middle School.

It was a beautiful sunny day and commenced with a moving Church Service at the Cathedral of the Incarnation followed by a parade of veterans, Auxiliary Unit Members, school bands, Scouts, Police and Fire Departments down Franklin Avenue, West on Seventh Street ending at the Middle School. The streets were crowded with residents who warmly applauded the veterans as they passed. The reviewing stand on Seventh Street included the Parade Grand Marshall, Captain Tom Ryder, American Legion Post Commander, John Donavan, Garden City Mayor Bob Rothschild, Nassau D.A. Kathleen Rice and the village trustee's, all who saluted the veterans as they passed.

The parade was followed by a moving ceremony at the Middle School where speeches were delivered by the assembled dignitaries in honor of those veterans who gave their all in the wars from WWI to the present. Fifty-eight Garden City residents who sacrificed their lives we honored.

A group of Auxiliary and Post members gather outside the Cathedral of the Incarnation after the service on Memorial Day. After the ceremonies the Legion members and wives were treated to lunch at the Senior Center.

Legionnaire Bob Rudkin, WWII Fighter Pilot drives the Corvette Indianapolis Pace Car along with Legionnaire Joe Keating. Grand Marshall Captain Thomas Ryder, an Iraq veteran, West Point Graduate and a graduate of Garden City High School along with Lt. John Bayer, stand outside the Cathedral before the Service. A view of the wreath's to honor the veterans of the fighting 69th. Rainbow Div.