Chaplain Brian Staley of American Legion Post 509 described Memorial Day as a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering fallen soldiers but also as a point of celebration for those who sacrificed their lives for their country.

“Your presence here today, and that of the gatherings all across America, is a tribute to those lost troops and their families,” said Staley, a U.S. Air Force veteran from the Vietnam era.

The threat of rain held off Monday for Port’s Memorial Day parade and ceremony, with overcast skies parting for a moment to allow the sun to shine down on the ceremony.

Port marched down Main Street to honor the lives of soldiers this Memorial Day, including veterans, the Port Washington Fire and Police Departments, Girl and Boy Scouts, local officials, organizations and Schreiber High School’s dance team, cheer squad and band.

Dozens of people gathered along Main Street to watch the parade, as children waved their American flags and marchers waved to them, later gathering at the Sousa Memorial Band Shell for the concluding ceremony.

The ceremony has been held at Port’s band shell since it opened in 1967, marking the 57th Memorial Day ceremony.

The ceremony honored two grand marshals – Pete Graven and Gilbert Landeros Jr.

Graven, selected by American Legion Post 509, serve 3 1/2 years as a naval line officer during the Vietnam era. He graduated from Notre Dame University in 1959.

He served as executive officer of the MSTS Troop Transport Protector and trained South — and saved six American civilians from drowning as they escaped from Cuba.

Graven was also a charter member in the formation of the Homeland Security Dept.

Landeros, who was selected by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1819, participated in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, operations in Kosovo and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He was described as a lifelong lover of aviation and teaching, and holds a master’s in aviation management from Embry-Riddle University. He also attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., and received a teaching certificate at the University of Texas.

Landeros continued his military training at the Navigation Flight School, Mather Air Force Base in California, once commissioned as a United States Air Force officer and then went on as a U.S. Air Force aviator, staff officer and commander throughout the country.

He retired from the Air Force as a major in 2008.

Staley, who comes from a family of veterans, said he is proud to wear his American Legion and Air Force veteran hats.

“I’m always filled with such pride when a stranger walks up to me and shakes my hand or pats me on the back and says ‘Thank you for your service,’” Staley said. “I always think to myself ‘it was my honor. I’m an American.’”

Staley invited his fellow veterans and service members to stand with him, and they met with applause as they rose.

Also honored were the two local veterans who had died since last Memorial Day – U.S. Navy veterans Ronald Novinski and Dan Hanley

Port Fire Department Chaplain Rev. Pastor Charles Vogeley read from President Biden’s Proclamation for Peace delivered this Memorial Day and offered the ceremony’s invocation.

“Our hearts ache over every act of violence at home and abroad,” Vogeley said during the prayer. “But we gather with sincere gratitude for this land of the free and home of the brave. We are here, and our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren have a future because of the brave men and women who gave their all making the greatest and ultimate sacrifice.”