TRR photo by David Hulse New York City firefighters, from left, Anthony Austin, Jim Rogers, Mike Koncz, Rich Sellegara and Bob Wolf, are pictured at Yulan’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade March 17th. (Click for larger image)

Yulan honors American heroes

By DAVID HULSE

YULAN — What most observers called a record crowd of some 4,000 persons was on hand Sunday as the Yulan St. Patrick’s Day Parade honored the emergency services heroes of New York City’s 9/11 tragedy.

Five uniformed New York City firefighters marched near the head of Sunday’s 31st annual parade, and were introduced to the cheering throng before the emotionally charged singing of the National Anthem.

A spokesman, Lt. Bob Wolf of Manhattan’s Engine Company 22, later called their reception “great.”

Wolf, who has attended Yulan parades unofficially in past years, added, “It’s the kind of thing that’s been going on all across the country.”

	TRR photo by Laurie Stuart Highland Flingers Alexis Pierce, Kristen Daley, Sage Owens, Nicole Daley of Narrowsburg and Kayla Kelly of Eldred pose before their Irish dance performance at the Yulan St. Patrick’s Day Parade. (Click for larger image)

The parade had a strong turnout from all the emergency services, as first-time participants included the color guards from the New York State Police, the Sullivan and Pike County Sheriff’s departments and numerous ambulance corps.

Always a popular parade among firefighters, this year’s rendition was no exception as some 27 New York and Pennsylvania companies took part. “We’ve had more fire companies in past, but never such large delegations,” said Jeff Haas of the Yulan Fire Department, who hosted the event.

An example was the turnout from Massapequa on Long Island, which provided one of the larger marching contingents.

Due to a problem with trophy order, Kathy Sweeney of the parade committee said awards this year were limited to best floats and ambulance corps. The Colonial’s fire truck was judged best among the floats, with second and third prizes going to Bakers Florists and Girl Scout Troop 102.

The Liberty Ambulance Corps took first place among the ambulance corps, with the Eldred American Legion (which was called away to an emergency call just prior to the parade) and Port Jervis taking second and third.

In separate fire company judging, the Neversink Engine Company of the Port Jervis Fire Department was judged best appearance overall, and Smallwood took second place.

More Parade Photos By Dave Hulse
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