Tag Archives: firefighters

North Merrick, New York, USA. December 19, 2020. North Merrick Fire Department has its annual Santa Claus ride in red sleigh pulled by NMFD fire truck that goes through the streets of North Merrick community. (© 2020 Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

North Merrick Fire Department Santa + Holiday Walk

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 31, 2020

Outdoor Holiday Fun

The North Merrick Fire Department escorted Santa in his sleigh throughout our community the night of December 19. It’s a tradition our family looks forward to each year, and the snow lined streets made it particularly festive.

After Santa and his firefighter helpers visited our street, I drove across town to the Community Holiday Tree and Lumiere Walk.

“North Merrick, NY, U.S. Dec. 19, 2020. L-R, JOSH MACK, JESSICA MACK, and daughter CALLEIGH MACK, 10, are posing at their Candy Cane Lane candy stand in front of their home during Community Holiday Tree Walk. (© 2020 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

North Merrick, NY, U.S. Dec. 19, 2020. L-R, JOSH MACK, JESSICA MACK, and daughter CALLEIGH MACK, 10, are posing at their Candy Cane Lane candy stand in front of their home during Community Holiday Tree Walk. (© 2020 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Twenty-nine North Merrick homes had their front yards decorated, each in a different theme, for the Community Holiday Tree and Lumiere Walk the night of December 19, 2020.

Two of the many themes my family enjoyed were:  “A Very Murray Christmas” starring a festive photo of actor Bill Murray, and “Candy Cane Lane” featuring a candy cane stand and metal pit fire.

“North Merrick, NY, U.S. Dec. 19, 2020. At center, L-R, JESSICA MACK and JOSH MACK stand with 2 neighbors around fire pit during Community Holiday Tree Walk. (© 2020 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

North Merrick, NY, U.S. Dec. 19, 2020. At center, L-R, JESSICA MACK and JOSH MACK stand with 2 neighbors around fire pit during Community Holiday Tree Walk. (© 2020 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

What a creative and fun way to celebrate the holiday season while also staying outside and observing social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic!

FEATURE PHOTO at top of post: North Merrick, NY, USA. December 19, 2020. North Merrick Fire Department has its annual Santa Claus ride in red sleigh pulled by NMFD fire truck going throughout the community. (© 2020 Ann Parry, ann-parry.com).

North Merrick Fire Department:  northmerrickfd.org

North Merrick Holiday Fun:  my Photo Gallery

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U.S. Presidential Inauguration Parade 2017

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 31, 2016

Yesterday, I read the exciting news that Long Island’s own Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums will participate in the U.S. Presidential Inauguration Parade in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2017.

Originally known as “Fir Na Tine” (Gaelic: Men of Fire), it’s America’s first Volunteer Firefighter Pipe Band, and has performed widely, including at St. Patrick’s Day parades, at halftime shows for NY Jets, and band members were the 11 Pipers Piping in a Christmas commercial.

[NOTE: background tent digitally altered blue]

East Meadow, NY, USA. March 31, 2012. [NOTE: background tent digitally altered blue ]Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums band performs at firefighter Ray Pfeifer Benefit. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Also, Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums has been an inspiring, stirring part of many memorials and benefits. In spring 2012, I covered the band when it played at the Ray Pfeifer Benefit at the East Meadow Firefighters Benevolent Hall. Retired FDNY firefighter and Hicksville resident Ray Pfeifer is a true profile in courage, perseverance, and brotherhood.

FYI From Long Island: After the 9/11/2001 Twin Towers terrorist attacks, Ray Pfeifer helped recovery efforts at Ground Zero, and by 2008 was battling cancer. Pfeifer – along with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, Representatives Peter King and Carolyn Maloney, and others – helped make sure the 2010 James Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation Act was eventually extended to 2090, establishing the “World Trade Center Health Program.”

Fund raiser for firefighter Ray Pfeifer on Saturday, March 31, 2012, at East Meadow Firefighters Benevolent Hall, New York, USA. The Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums band performed. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

East Meadow, New York, USA. March 31, 2012. The Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums band performing at Ray Pfeifer Benefit. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

When the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band participates in the Inauguration Parade in a few weeks, it will be continuing its mission of proudly representing the Nassau County Fire Service.

To help the band reach its $10,000 goal to cover transportation & lodging costs for its 40+ members, the band manager created and runs a gofundme fundraiser: “Presidential Inauguration Parade” for the Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums.

  • Photo Video of Ray Pfeifer Fundraiser, with Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums music:

And I send sincere thanks to Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums, esp. Band Manager Alan Jacoby, for permission to use their music in above photo video of 2012 Firefighter Ray Pfeifer Benefit.

  • UPDATE 1/18/2107:  $17K+ of revised $20K goal has been raised by band’s gofundme campaign.  [NOTE: This post’s link to band’s gofundme page removed after end of 2017.]

Band’s official site: Nassau County Firefighters Pipes & Drums

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