Chet De Long Named Grand Marshal Of Falls Church Memorial Day Parade

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Chet De Long, a long-time advocate of the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, has been named grand marshal of the 40th Annual City of Falls Church Memorial Day Parade.

The Falls Church Recreation and Parks Advisory Board chose De Long based on his extensive support of the library, including his more than 25 years of service on the Library Board of Trustees.

De Long will preside over the city’s annual festivities on Monday, May 30.

“Chet's service to the library has made him a beloved figure in our community,” the nomination submission read. “Library staff all light up when Chet walks through the door. He is such a kind and lovely person, and his service to the library has been so long term, and so dedicated.”

Nominations for the grand marshal selection were due by March 7.

Past honorees include Lindy Hockenberry (2021), Rob Donovan (2019), Midge Wang (2018), Barb Cram (2017), Kathy Halayko (2016) Kathy and Barry Buschow (2015), Sergeant Steve Rau (2014), Janet Haines and Audrey Luthman (2013), Harry Shovlin (2012), Howard Herman (2011), Edna Frady (2010) and Jessie Thackrey (2009).

As board member and vice chairman of the Library Board of Trustees, De Long helped to guide library policy, supporting three different library directors.

Over the past decade, De Long was crucial to planning the renovation of the library. In 2016, he spearheaded efforts to pass a library bond referendum, which financed the renovation and expansion project that began in March 2020.

De Long has volunteered his services at the library for 26 years. He has worked behind the scenes at the library, mostly in Technical Services assisting the intake of new material and the deletion of old items, and supporting the library's ongoing book, CD and DVD sale.

While on the Library Board of Trustees, De Long championed the idea of a fundraising organization to support the library. After the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Foundation was established in 2004, he served as financial officer and fundraiser for many years.

The foundation provides annual assistance for library materials, services, programs and equipment. In 2020 the foundation established the annual Chet De Long Award for Outstanding Service for a staff person or volunteer whose long and dedicated service has had an impact on the library.