It was a typical fourth of July in Oyster Bay, Monday, July 5, as the community came out to celebrate the signing of the constitution. Oyster Bay Town Councilman Tony Altimari of Bayville stood in for Supervisor John Venditto as master of ceremony for the 223rd celebration of the day of independence.

Guest speaker Rear Admiral David Architzel, U.S. Navy Commander Iceland Defense Force, and a former commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, said, "Look around and take pride in what you see - the veterans, the seniors, the color guards - the POW-MIA flags: this is hometown America where values mean something and there is a belief in honor and commitment."

Opposite the Derby-Hall Bandstand a line of about 30 veterans holding flags, including the American Legion Quentin Roosevelt Post No. 4, Harold A. Havekotte, commander; Charles Wagner Post No. 349, John J. Mauro, commander; Robert H. Spittel Post No. 1285, William Sembler, commander and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8033, Reginald Butt, Jr., commander.

The honorary parade chairman was James Brandt, past commander of Legion Post No. 4. He was driven along the parade route by Jim Longo, driving the antique automobile of Pat and Emily Collins. The parade chairman was Legion Commander Harold A. Havekotte.

Mr. Altimari introduced Councilman Len Symons, Receiver of Taxes John O'Leary (who earned a small chorus of "boos": he doesn't keep them, he collects them, said Mr. A.) He introduced Legislator John Canning and Town Historian Dorothy Horton McGee and then looking out in the audience - Cordelia Roosevelt, Mrs. P. James Roosevelt and Michael Roosevelt - who he said were sitting there somewhere.

It was a hot day, on Monday, July 5, and there appeared to be more marchers than audience. The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary members were told not to march that day, said Louise Chapman. "They are all seniors and the men thought it was too hot for them to be in the parade today," she said.

Still, the number of people taking part in the parade seems to be increasing. This year was the first time the Locomotive #35 Restoration Committee members marched in the Oyster Bay Fourth of July Parade. They wore white hats and T-shirts with the logo of Engine #35 in red. The group is getting closer to locating the locomotive engine in Oyster Bay.

The Oyster Bay Preservation Group returned to the parade for their second walk in several years. They are re-activating due to the impending loss of several historic buildings.

Legion Commander Harold Havekotte gave the order to raise the flag to the top of the flagpole, at the feet of the American Eagle and the assembled sang the Star Spangled Banner. The VFW Post 8033 honor guard shot off a volley of rifle shots.

This year, the Nassau-Suffolk Horsemen's Association, Inc. Rough Riders, under the direction of Troop Commander C. William Uhlinger kept their horses half-way down Audrey Avenue, in the shade, and away from the explosive sounds of the guns.

Mr. Altimari invited a large group of Boy and Girl Scouts up to the bandstand to lead the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Oyster Bay Community Band, under the direction of Michael Iannicello, played between segments.

Next, there was a Military Fly-By of UH1 helicopters, on schedule.

Councilman Altimari reminded the listeners that this country had chosen freedom over oppression: freedom to work where we please; freedom to worship where we please; freedom to live where we please and to raise our families in peace and prosperity. "Two signers of the Declaration of Independence," he said, "Later became presidents of the United States and died on July 4, 1826 - John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. They were both instrumental in securing our freedom."

He introduced the next speaker, James Foote, Theodore Roosevelt impersonator, by reminding the audience of TR's past glories including: outlawing racial discrimination in schools, upgrading teachers salaries and preserving forests. This year is the centennial of TR's gubernatorial years. Mr. Altimari said his becoming president, rather then running for another term as Governor, "Was the country's gain but a loss for New York, although he had returned integrity to the state during his term of office."

James Foote stepped into his alternate persona gracefully - welcoming the audience as "My friends." He relished the appearance of the Rough Rider cavalry troop recalling that the members of his troop took only 60 days to organize and be equipped. He praised the Navy saying it is the right arm of the country and said, "A strong Navy is the best assurance of peace."

He said a great country depends on the involvement of men and women. Equal rights, he said, meant equal obligation to the cause of democracy, where there is room for only one flag --- the stars and stripes.

After a rendition of God Bless America, he called out "Bully. Simply bully!"

Rear Admiral David Architzel told listeners that Iceland was 62 degrees that day. It reached over 100 degrees here.

The admiral said he joined the Navy because of people like TR, who believe in the ideals of Democracy which is admired worldwide and taken for granted here. But, said the world-traveler - There is no place like the United States of America and no place like Oyster Bay.

Mr. Architzel said he attended Calhoun High School in Merrick during the VietNam War when the country was divided on that battle. He said "All must contribute to the community good. I never regretted the decision to join the Navy."

As a past commander of the USS TR, he spoke about the ship. "It is the first USS ship to serve in a NATO action in a war," he said. It is served by the nation's finest men and women. They have spenT three months there and will spend three months more, he said. The ship supported the airplanes that made 5,000 sorties as part of the operation of the allied forces.

He said his men in Iceland serve for one, two or three years under trying conditions, missing their family and friends. (A horse whinnied and the commander didn't miss a beat - before saying "thank you.")

The LIRR train whistle blew - a sound of homecoming. He said, the Fourth of July is a time to get friends and family together. He asked them to think of those in Kosovo, in ships at sea and in Tule, Iceland away from their friends and family and he said: "God bless you; God bless America and God bless our home sweet home."

Dr. John Gable, executive director of the Theodore Roosevelt Association began his talk by saying, the previous year he had challenged the community to help Sagamore Hill, their local national historic site that was home to the 26th President of the United States. He said the Town of Oyster Bay had responded to that plea and they have helped in securing a water source to fight fires and people to help clear the land of an overgrowth of trees.

Last year the view TR had of the harbor was restored as trees were felled to reveal the bay. During his lifetime Mr. Roosevelt would walk with axe in hand and cut down excess saplings.

Mr. Gable talked of how TR felled the bosses who were running the Republican party and brought the state the 48-hour week - quite an advance at that time, he said. He saved the birds of the south and the Caribbean when he banned the use of bird feathers for adorning clothing.

What was most important, he said, was that TR brought a new spirit of partisanship with his view that "He serves his party best who serves the state best. The concept was that the way to win an election was to do a good job!"

The Oyster Bay Community Band played It's a Grand Old Flag, and John Canning led the audience, passing the microphone to Mr. O'Leary and Mr. Symons who joined him in song.

Councilman Altimari thanked all the participants as well as the spectators that came out in the heat. With that, the units re-formed to march back to the Oyster Bay Community Center on White Street for refreshments.

The Rough Riders led the return march. As they waited for the color guards to catch up, they circled around on Audrey Avenue, giving the horses a little workout time. They had been patient in the hot sun - Audrey Avenue was shady.

Nick DeSantis, John Bruckner and Maurice Baron marched by. Five Pearl Harbor Survivors (and one wife with a camera) marched next. Veterans of Viet Nam followed, with President Stan Kuchlewski.

Dick Keppler drove his antique car with passenger Miss Dorothy Horton McGee, Oyster Bay Town Historian and chair of the Bicentennial Historical Commission who organizes the parade each year.

James Foote walked beside Steven R. Torborg, co-chair of the Locomotive #35 Restoration Committee catching up on events.

As the parade approached South Street, Legislator John Canning stopped to talk to one of his supporters.

Across the street, Brian Muellers, his Democratic challenger for a seat in the County Legislature in the November election, marched with a small contingent of supporters, getting his message out.

It was a hometown U.S.A. with all the trimmings!