Bethpage-Tribune_1998-03-06

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YOUR OFFICIAL HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
Serving Bethpage, Island Trees, Plainedge, Seaford, Old Bethpage & Plamview
VOL. 32 NO. 10 March 6-12, 1998 40 CENTS
The 1998 St. Patrick's Day Parade Was Perfect In Every Way!
Last Sunday's parade was spectacular! The colorful bagpipe bands,
the stirring music, the marchers from so many different community groups,
the majestic horses of the Nassau County Mounted Police and the rump
horse from the Nassau/Suffolk Horsemen's Association, the K-9 brigade,
the impressive array of antique cars, the colorful flags, our own high school
marching band playing "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," and especially, the
crowds that lined the street to enjoy what has become a tradition for Beth­page
made it a perfect day.
Well, almost perfect. The heaven's opened up just as the parade
ended and the dignitaries were about to present our grand marshal, John
O'Hara, With citations in honor of the event. The ceremonies were short­ened
in deference to the rain.
Below is the full speech I had prepared and present it here so that the
readers of the "Tribune" will know what a wonderful person John O'Hara is.
Mary McCaffery
President, Parade Committee
Honored guests...
I would like to acknowledge the hardworking committee who made this
day possible: Bill McConnell, Kathy Brenton, John Coumatos, Kevin & Bill
McCabe, John Joyce, Syl Nugent, Mike & Eileen Horan, Ed O'Donnell, Pat
& Colin Astarita, Kevin Konnor, Nancy Meyerhoff, Mary Ann McGrath,
Maureen Minett, and my husband, Jack.
I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous outpouring of finan­cial
support we have received from the merchants in Bethpage. We gave
recognition to their generosity by giving them a special shamrock to put in
their store window or display in their place of business. I hope you will re­ward
their generosity by patronizing our local merchants because they
demonstrate time and again, their commitment to this community.
And now, John O'Hara.
Selecting him to be grand marshal was easy. The vote was unani­mous.
Getting him to accept the honor - that took some doing.
John is a very quite guy - a kind of a leprechaun - rarely seen, but you
know he has been around. Witness the green shamrocks and ribbons on
all the trees. How many people saw John putting them up last week? The
year before that and the year before that?
Ask him for a favor and he'll invariably say "Sure, no problem. Just tell
me what you need."
What he is most commonly recognized for is the decorations he puts
up year in and year out - always with enthusiasm - for the St. Martin's St.
Patrick's Dance and for-his part in turning the St. Martin's cafeteria into a
magical ballroom, making each eighth grade graduation dance a very spe­cial
- very unique event for every graduating class for the past 30 years.
John and I have worked on a lot of projects to raise money for chari­ties.
My all-time favorite was the haunted house at Walkabout, here in
Bethpage. That project fired up our wildest imaginations and since John
was a display decorator at A&S, we had access to all sorts of exotic items
to put into the haunted house. But, when it came to the tough item - a cof­fin
- John said, "I bet you can find a funeral director with a sense of humor
who will lend us a coffin." I did.
I could go on, but I know John. He's already thinking "I wish she'd
stop."
John is honored today because he represents the best of family like -
happily married for 50 years, a father, grandfather and great grandfather -
loved and admired by his family and friends. He's got an infectious spirit,
an enthusiasm he brings to his many activities. He's hard-working, quiet
and always a treasured friend.
Grand Marshall John O'Hara waves to the cheering crowd during the
1998 St. Patrick's Day Parade.
ORDER OF MARCH
Color Guard - VFW - Butehom Brothers
Vietnam Veterans of America Color Guard
Nassau County Mounted Police
Irish Wolfhounds
Kerry Blues
Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band
Grand Marshall John O'Hara
Dignitaries and Friends
Bethpage Historical Society
Amityville American Legion Highland Pipe Band
Antique Auto
Bethpage Community Marchers
NYDF Bagpipe Band
Fire Dept Members and Trucks
Women's Auxiliary - Bethpage Fire Department
Bethpage High School Marching Band
Civil War Reanactment Group - Company H
Lions Club
Girl Scouts
Soccer Club
Bethpage State Park
Tara Pipes & Drums
AOH Division 15 - Massapequa
Bethpage Water District
Antique Autos
Nassau County Police Canine Unit
Norma's School of Dance
Nassau County Police Department Color Guard
N assau County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band
AOH Division 11 - Hicksville
LaSalle School
St. Martin of Tours Youth Group
Remax Float and Schade School of Dance
Canine Brigade assisted by the Bethpage Boy Scouts
Shields Pipe Band
Nassau-Suffolk Horsemans Assn. & Rough Riders
(Sec more in centerfold)