Memorial Day Weekend Spotlight: North Fork Parades

With all the activities offered and the chance to unwind over the long weekend, the reason why we even have Memorial Day often gets lost: To remember those who gave their lives protecting the freedoms we sometimes take for granted in this country.

Remember the men and women who died serving their country at these Memorial Day parades.

hosts its annual Memorial Day parade at 7:30 a.m. With its distinctive memorial tower dedicated to soldiers of the Civil War, Orient has some of the oldest ties to some of the oldest battles in U.S. history. Villagers walk through the village during the event starting at the firehouse and place memorial wreaths at the war memorials throughout the village. The event ends at the firehouse with donuts and coffee. Call 631-323-2445 or go to orientfiredepartment.org.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts fromwill march from the Adams Street parking lot behind the former Arcade to the railroad dock in a special Memorial Day parade in the village starting at 8 a.m. on Monday. The scouts will place wreaths and flowers in the water at the railroad dock during a ceremony. Go to thevillageofgreenport.org.

The Mattituck Memorial Day Parade begins and ends at the American Legion Hall  on Wickham Avenue at 10 a.m. followed by refreshments on the lawn. Email mattituckveterans@yahoo.com.