Veterans Day parade GM announced

This year’s Center Moriches Chamber Veterans Day parade grand marshal was recently selected as Vietnam War veteran Lee W. Sinnickson.

“It is an honor for me and all the other veterans that served our country,” Lee said of being selected as grand marshal.

Lee served with the 1st Infantry Division in the U.S .Army from 1967 to 1969.

“He served our nation with exceptional honor during the Vietnam War as an infantryman in the U.S. Army,” said Brad Droskoski, who submitted his nomination. “His bravery in combat earned him significant military honors.

Lee received a Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, a Vietnam Service Medal with two overseas bars, Vietnam Gallantry Citation and Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service medal expert Badge M-14. When he returned home, he earned his degree in funeral directing from Farmingdale College in 1971. While home in Center Moriches, he took over the family business, Sinnickson’s Moriches Funeral Home, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was a WWI veteran, and father, who was a WWII veteran.

Lee operated the long-standing family business on Main Street in addition to joining the fire department at the age of 18. He also recently served the Center Moriches Fire Department as a commissioner; he is still an active member. He also previously dedicated 25 years to the East Moriches Fire Department, where he served as an officer of the Hose Company II and trustee of the benevolent association.

He is also a lifetime member of the VFW Post 424, American Legion Post 1545, Society of the First Infantry Division, and Suffolk County Vietnam Veterans of America.

His service to the community includes president of the Moriches Lions Club, Moriches Bay Little League, and East Moriches Soldiers & Sailors Memoria Park. He is also an active supporter of Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, Relay for Life, Spooky Walk, and Mount Pleasant cemetery.

Lee has also previously served as the grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day parade in 2012.

As a lifelong Center Moriches resident, he continues to live in the community with his wife, Loretta. They have been married for 55 years. Together, they have two children, Keri and Ryan, and four grandchildren, Leah, Kara, Amy, and Avery.

“Our family is very proud of him, especially me,” said his wife, who is looking forward to attending the parade.

Veterans Parade, Sunday, Nov. 8

The chamber will be hosting the annual Veterans Day parade on Nov. 8 starting at 2 p.m. on Main Street in East Moriches. If you or someone you know is a veteran and would be interested in participating in the parade, please call Miriam Gillies at 631-878-1111. If you are unable to walk, the chamber will drive. Float participants are also needed. For more information visit: moricheschamber.org.