Memorial Day Parade Honors Heroes Who Gave 'Last Full Measure': Photos

GREENPORT, NY — It was a day of solemn remembrance and thanks Monday as the Southold Town Memorial Day Parade and service unfolded in Greenport.

The event, which was hosted this year by the Greenport American Legion Burton Potter Post 185, began with the ceremony at Steamboat Corner, then wended its way down Main Street to Front Street, ending at the American Legion Hall on Third Street.

Elected officials spoke about the heroes honored on Memorial Day for their greatest sacrifice.

"Today we're here to honor the memory of those who didn't make it home. Who fought for the liberty, the freedom of this country," said Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell. "We're not just marching to keep their memory alive. We're marching to remind the younger generations, those that are coming up, so that they can embrace the memory of our veterans. So they know that people sacrificed it all for the life that they enjoy today. So that they can continue to carry on the tradition for years ahead. We don't want it to fade from memory."

Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard added: "Today we remember everybody that gave their lives so we can enjoy all the freedoms that we have. As we go about our day today, just say a prayer for the families that don't have their child, or their mother or father with them today, because they lost their lives for us. We can enjoy the freedoms that we have because they've paid a dear price."

Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski also spoke. Looking out at the crowd gathered in the bucolic village under bright blue skies, he said: "It's hard to imagine a world that's not just like this, just perfect like today. But the world isn't like that at all. It's really important to remember those who sacrificed everything so that we could have this day here today...I don't like calling it a holiday — but Memorial Day is very fitting."

Greenport Village Trustee Jack Martilotta — who received the Meritorious Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious service while serving as First Sergeant of Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion 258 Field Artillery, and who is currently in the NY Army National Guard, 1-69 IN, as a SFC, Battalion Targeting NCO — also spoke.

"I'd like everybody to just please to consider throughout the course of our nation, over 1.4 million servicemen and women have given their lives. Or as President Lincoln called it, 'The last full measure of devotion.' They laid it all down for us. So that we can have all the things that we do have."

He added: "Please, don't lose sight of that."

Martilotta also remembered Burton Potter, for whom the Greenport American Legion post is named. According to his obituary, Martilotta said, Potter was "the most popular man in Orient." As soon as World War I broke out, both he and his brother enlisted; at the time Burton was working in New Haven.

"They were sent almost immediately following training to the trenches of World War I," he said.

Potter's brother John was severely wounded and did not return to battle. Young Burton was killed, Martilotta said. "He was 21 years old. His brother was 23. The community had to be devastated. He had parents. He had other siblings. The loss of a service member just ripples through the community. . .If you know a Gold Star family, they bear a cross that no one should have to — and there is no relief from it. So please take a moment to remember those people who have that final, full measure."