Tag Archives: Tom Riordan

Final Salute for Papa Les

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
June 25, 2025

• Videos of Dad telling about his WWII photos are near end of post

a photographic memory

Dad died January 6, 2014, eight years to the day after Mom died.

Aunt Clare, our family powerhouse, came to Long Island from Maryland to help. My brother Lou’s family in North Carolina also wanted to come. But I was so overwhelmed just thinking about what lay ahead, I asked Lou to wait until he could help me pack up the family house. He and his wife Sarah were teachers, and I knew they couldn’t take off from work twice. Lou agreed to wait.

So I captured photos of Dad’s military funeral and made sure that family, especially Lou, saw “straight out of the camera” images right away. Because those photos have been popping up in my mind lately, I processed them, and today I sent Lou the link to this post.

Long Island National Cemetery 2014

Dad wanted to be a pilot in the U.S. military during WWII. However, a fly ball hit one of his eyes when he was a teenager, causing blindness in that eye for months, and he didn’t qualify for pilot in the military eye exam.

(It was a great disappointment, but it might also have been great luck. If Dad had passed the eye exam and become a bomber, the most dangerous position for U.S. military, the odds of him surviving the war and going on to have a family would have been much lower.)

When Dad’s Army General Classification Test (AGCT) performance showed he had a photographic memory, he was assigned to intelligence in the U.S. Army Air Force, a member of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.

Farmingdale, New York, U.S. January 10, 2014. Honor Guards fold an American flag into a triangle during final farewell for veteran SSgt Lester Parry at Long Island National Cemetery. (© 2014 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The simple, solemn Honor Guard ceremony during his military funeral was a moving thank you for Dad’s service to our country.

Three generations of our family heard the Honor Guard play taps on the bugle and witnessed them slowly, precisely fold the American flag into a triangle.

As cemetery staff removed the engraved granite plaque from the niche in the columbarium, my younger daughter Laurie held that flag, and my older daughter Sue helped keep her toddler son – Mom and Dad’s first great-grandchild – entertained. When Sue herself was a toddler, she was the first ever to call Dad “Papa Les.”

Farmingdale, New York, U.S. January 10, 2014. Staff member removes granite plaque covering niche for ashes in columbarium, during final farewell for SSgt Lester Parry, with family attending, at Long Island National Cemetery. (© 2014 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

It was my honor, my duty to place Dad’s ashes in the niche. Looking back, it was one of three times in my life – once before and once after that day – that I absolutely had to dissociate my mind from my emotions to do what had to get done.

Farmingdale, New York, U.S. January 10, 2014. On the ground, a granite plaque for SSgt Lester Parry and Mary Ann Parry is ready to be placed over niche in Columbarium A1 Row C Site 47 during military funeral at Long Island National Cemetery. (© 2014 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

open house

Along with the small family gathering at the military funeral, we had an open house celebrating Dad’s life.

Dad was a member of Merrick Post #1282 American Legion, and my daughters and I were members of the Auxiliary. So we warmly welcomed fellow members who joined the celebration

Past Post Commander (Robert) Tom Riordan – a dear, supportive friend of our family – had had his own final roll call months earlier, and I like to think Tom had already signed Dad up to the American Legion post in their new neighborhood.

Lou, Sarah, and their daughter Elizabeth sent a potted moth orchid that arrived in time to take an honored place in the living room bay window during the open house.

And months later, instead of packing up the family house, I decided to stay there. Our younger brother John had tragically died decades earlier, and Lou made it incredibly easy to buy his half of the home.

So the orchid plant still sits in the bay window, blooming pale pink flowers each winter.

Video Showcase 2011

In this series of short videos from 2011, Dad tells about his WWII photos and related mementos, childhood photos, and recites from memory the poem “Mully Pounds the Keys” by his French American Banking Corporation colleague Walter Anderson.

• CLICK “Start watching” at bottom of first video – or – scroll down this showcase to the video you want to watch:

FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Farmingdale, New York, U.S. January 10, 2014. Honor Guard begins ceremony of folding American Flag during military funeral of veteran Lester Parry at Long Island National Cemetery. (© 2011 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Final Farewell to Papa Les (2014): my PHOTO GALLERY

Orchid Plant (2025): my PHOTO GALLERY

Video Showcase (2011) Lester Parry WWII: vimeo.com/showcase/10056436

Lester Parry recites “Mully Pounds the Keys” by Walter Anderson: vimeo.com/annparry/parryanderson

Long Island National Cemetery: cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/LongIsland.asp

Merrick Post #1282 American Legion: merrickpost1282.org

Veterans Crisis Hotline: call 988 and select 1 • text 838255
• more info: veteranscrisisline.net

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To Light a Candle… 9/11

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
September 11, 2017

On each anniversary of September 11, 2001, but not only on each anniversary, I remember the events of that day and how they’ve changed our world.

On Sept. 11, 2001, we were a week or so into the new school year at Grand Avenue Middle School in Bellmore, Long Island. Except for our class computers suddenly losing internet access early that morning, it began as an ordinary Tuesday.

[You can click on each photo below]

Sept. 11, 2012 - Merrick, New York, U.S. - LYLA W., 3, and KATE O., 2, helping place 500 Luminary Bags (votive candle in each bag will be lit at dark) in front of 215 Wenshaw Park homes, on 11th Anniversary of 9/11, by Wenshaw Park Civic Association (WPCA), Long Island, with over $500 already raised for Twin Towers Orphan Fund. (Ann Parry/-)

Merrick, NY, USA. Sept. 11, 2012. LYLA W., 3, and KATE O., 2, help place 500 luminary bags (votive candle in each bag will be lit at dark) in front of 215 Wenshaw Park homes, by Wenshaw Park Civic Association, Long Island, to raise funds for Twin Towers Orphan Fund. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Then, as students passed from one class to another, a few of my writing students came in announcing news they’d heard on the radio in art class: “Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers!”

“What?!” I said. “Well… one plane might have that sort of accident, but not two – the same day. Someone must’ve heard the info wrong.”

But, over the loudspeaker later that morning, our principal, Fino Celano, gave us the news – calmly, solemnly – of the terrorist attacks on Manhattan’s Twin Towers, the Pentagon… then the plane crash in the Pennsylvania field. No one had heard the info wrong.

East Meadow, New York, U.S. March 31, 2012. Back row L-R, Firefighter RAY PFEIFER and Congressman PETE KING (Rep. - NY02), and, front row, son TERRENCE PFEIFER, daughter TAYLOR PFEIFER, and wife CARYN PFEIFER, pose for photo at fundraiser for Ray Pfeifer, an FDNY firefighter battling cancer after months of recovery efforts at Ground Zero following 9/11 2001 Twin Towers attack. Benefit was held at East Meadow Firefighters Benevolent Hall. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

East Meadow, NY, U.S. March 31, 2012. Back row L-R, Firefighter RAY PFEIFER and Congressman PETE KING (Rep. – NY02), and, front row, son TERRENCE PFEIFER, daughter TAYLOR PFEIFER, and wife CARYN PFEIFER, pose for photo at fundraiser for Ray Pfeifer, an FDNY firefighter battling cancer after months of recovery efforts at Ground Zero following 9/11 2001 Twin Towers attack. Benefit was held at East Meadow Firefighters Benevolent Hall. © 2012 (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

When I got home from school that afternoon, the tile floors our construction workers had ripped up from the kitchen and surrounding rooms the day before were more scattered than stacked. We were replacing our radiant in-floor heating, and the ground floor looked “like a bomb went off” – though I felt guilty even having that thought.

So the night of September 11, 2001, my husband Len, my older daughter Sue and I ate dinner at a local cafe.

Throughout the meal we watched the news coverage of the attacks on the TV up in the corner, and whispered “Nightmare… surreal… oh my god….”

Manhattan, NY, USA. March 17, 2009. FDNY firefighter LUKE ALLEN wears in his hat a card with photo of his older brother firefighter RICHARD D. ALLEN, one of 343 FDNY firefighters killed responding to terrorist attacks on Twin Towers 9/11. (© 2009 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Manhattan, NY, USA. March 17, 2009. Marching in St. Patrick’s Day Parade, FDNY firefighter LUKE ALLEN displays on his hat a photo of his older brother firefighter RICHARD D. ALLEN, one of 343 FDNY firefighters killed responding to terrorist attacks on Twin Towers Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2009 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

My younger daughter Laurie was at college in Westchester. During one of our calls later that week, I told her I wanted to get her a cell phone, especially because of her trips between college and home.

Though she didn’t think she needed one, by the end of the call she understood that her mom really needed her to have one.

Bellmore, New York, USA. 11th September 2015. L-R, Bellmore Fire Dept. Chief DANIEL HOLL, Pastor and Chaplain JAMES BARNUM, 1st Deputy VINCENT MONTERA, 2nd Deputy TOM STOERGEN, and Chaplain DENNIS RICH stand next to a monument that’s a piece of structural steel from the Twin Towers, during the Bellmore Memorial Ceremony for 3 Bellmore volunteer firefighters and 7 residents who died due to 9/11 NYC terrorist attacks. Elevated platform of Bellmore LIRR Station is in background. (© 2015 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Our neighbors across the street lost their son who worked in the Twin Towers.

A Grand Avenue coworker lost her first responder firefighter husband, and two of our students lost their fathers.

During lunch period, a fellow teacher told us how ever since 9/11 he was having nightmares about being trapped underground.

And American flags multiplied everywhere, and so did patience and kindness. I didn’t notice a car horn honking for at least a year.

And we also had color-coded terrorism threat advisories….

Manhattan, NY, USA. January 9, 2012. Movie poster EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE is displayed lit at night over Penn Station subway entrance with Empire State Building in background. Fictional movie is set at time of 9/11 terrorist attacks on Twin Towers in NYC. (© 2012 Ann E Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Since 2001 our country and many others continue to have terror threat alerts — for events, buildings, airlines & metros, cities….

And I do feel a bit reckless, a tiny bit brave, heading to Manhattan when a terror alert’s been issued.

North Bellmore Fire Department 9/11 remembrance ceremony and unveiling of two pieces of steel from World Trade Center added to existing 9/11 monument, North Bellmore, New York, USA, on September 10, 2011. (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Bellmore, NY, USA. Sept. 10, 2011. North Bellmore Fire Department 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and unveiling of two pieces of steel from World Trade Center added to existing 9/11 monument. (© 2011 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

My young grandson and younger granddaughter, along with all children, can only imagine the world before 9/11/2001 through images and stories that grow older as they do.

And I can barely begin to imagine the feelings and pain of those killed, injured, struck with cancer, and of those who lost loved ones, due to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Removing American Flag to reveal monument made with steel from World Trade Center, at the Merrick Post #1282 American Legion Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 ceremony, are (left to right) Rabbi Paul Kirchner, Father Eric Fasano, Adjutant Robert Tom Riordan PCC, and North Merrick Fire Dept. Ex. Chief Henry Hinrichs, at Merrick Veterans Memorial Park, Merrick, New York, USA, on September 11, 2011.(Ann Parry/Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, NY, USA. Sept. 11, 2011. Removing American Flag to reveal monument made with steel from World Trade Center, at Merrick Post #1282 American Legion 10th Anniversary of 9/11 ceremony, are (L-R) Rabbi PAUL KIRCHNER; Father ERIC FASANO; Adjutant ROBERT TOM RIORDAN, PCC; and North Merrick Fire Dept. Ex. Chief HENRY HINRICHS at Merrick Veterans Memorial Park. (© 2011 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

With gratitude to the first responders and other 9/11 heroes – and with hope – I can never forget. – Ann

“It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” – Chinese Proverb

East Meadow, New York, USA. Summer 2017. Four birds fly over Twin Towers sculpture monument at Eisenhower Park 9/11 Monument section. (Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

UPDATE July 30, 2019: Head of the U.S. Executive Branch signed bi-partisan 9/11 Victim Compensation bill: “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.”

9/11 Over the Years: PHOTO GALLERY

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Pearl Harbor Survivor, 70 Years Later

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 7, 2011

Today, on the 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941, I’m thinking back to this summer when I first met one of Long Island’s few remaining Pearl Harbor survivors, BILL HALLERAN, a member of Merrick Post #1282 of the American Legion.

Merrick, NY, USA. August 13, 2011. William Halleran, Pearl Harbor survivor, and member of Merrick Post 1282 of American Legion. digital background (© 2011 Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick, NY, USA. August 13, 2011. WILLIAM HALLERAN, Pearl Harbor survivor, and member of Merrick Post 1282 of American Legion. [IMAGE CUTOUT with digital background] (© 2011 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

In the below photo, Halleran and his fellow American Legion members are at Merrick Post #1282’s summer barbecue hosted for Veterans from New York State Nursing Home at Stony Brook.

Merrick Post #1282 American Legion and Veterans from New York State Nursing Home Stony Brook NY group photo taken in front of Adult Day Care bus when Merrick Post hosted barbecue, in Merrick, New York, USA, on August 13, 2011. Included are Commander Ed Sholaner, Past County Commander Tom Riordan, and Pearl Harbor survivor Bill Halleran. Photo © 2011 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com

Merrick Post #1282 American Legion members and Veterans from New York State Nursing Home Stony Brook NY group photo taken in front of Adult Day Care bus when Merrick Post hosted barbecue, in Merrick, New York, USA, on August 13, 2011. Included are Commander ED SHOLANDER, Past County Commander TOM RIORDAN, and Pearl Harbor survivor BILL HALLERAN. Photo © 2011 Ann Parry, All rights reserved. Ann-Parry.com (© 2011 Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Merrick, N.Y., U.S. August 13, 2011. Veterans, including (standing at left) Pearl Harbor survivor BILL HALLERAN, at Merrick Post #1282 of American Legion barbecue hosted for New York State Veterans from Nursing Home at Stony Brook NY. (© 2011 Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Merrick Post #1282 barbecue: my PHOTO GALLERY

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Tag Archives: Tom Riordan

Final Salute for Papa Les

To Light a Candle… 9/11

Pearl Harbor Survivor, 70 Years Later