Generally Speaking: Ragamuffins ready for October 1 march

Perhaps running a close second to Halloween or Christmas, at least in the hearts and minds of thousands of youngsters from Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Sunset Park, Bensonhurst and the surrounding areas, is the annual Children’s Ragamuffin Parade.

Thousands of pre-teens and parents with toddlers are gearing up for the historic 50th anniversary Ragamuffin Parade on Saturday, October 1 which kicks off at 1 p.m., along Third Avenue from 76th Street to 92nd Street.

Parents, are your kids signed up for the parade? If not, don›t worry. Last minute registration will take place on the day of the parade from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the schoolyard at OLA/Holy Angels Catholic Academy on 74th Street, just off Third Avenue.

However, a parent or guardian must accompany your child in order to sign the permission portion of the parade registration form. The parade is open to all children and there are no entry fees. This fun-loving parade is solely for the enjoyment and safety of our children. Please no dogs or bike riders!

Every child in costume that is registered and marches or is pushed along the parade route in a carriage or stroller will receive a free toy and becomes eligible to win a spanking new two-wheeler or, depending upon age, a nifty tricycle. Prize distribution will take place in the HSBC Bank parking lot, 92nd Street and Third Avenue.

Since it’s the parade’s 50th, past grand marshals and parade honorees have been invited to join the parade.

Don’t forget to pick up a free copy of this paper’s 50th anniversary Ragamuffin special keepsake supplement. It’s sure to bring back fond memories when your children become adults!

Fort Hamilton High School lost one of its Hall of Famers with the death on August 18 of Lee Alperin, a graduate of the Class of 1951, a U.S. Army veteran and longtime English teacher at FHHS. Alperin, who was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2000, was a founding member of the FHHS Alumni Association. City Councilmember Vincent Gentile, also a FHHS graduate, served as the first president of the Alumni Association.

This past September 16 was National POW/MIA Recognition Day and at the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Hamilton, a ceremony commemorating the day was held in the Washington Room of the former officers’ club. Under the large portrait of our nation’s first commander-in-chief was set the symbolic POW/MIA Missing Man Table. This table honors the memory of fallen, missing or imprisoned members of the armed service.

Fort Hamilton High School’s Junior ROTC Cadet Color Guard marched the colors front and center for the national anthem. The Invocation was delivered by Major Donald Ehrke, the garrison chaplain.  Welcome remarks were extended by Donald Bradshaw, the deputy garrison commander. Keynote speaker was Dr. Cole Lao, a World War II POW who was captured by the Japanese soldiers while on guard duty in the Philippines. After the war, Dr. Lao became a physician and practiced family medicine for over five decades. His decorations include two Purple Hearts and five Bronze Stars.