First-Class Memorial Day

Like every other small town in America, East Hampton loves a parade, and never more so than on Memorial Day. Montauk has its St. Patrick's Day celebration, Amagansett ragamuffins step out on Halloween, and Southampton puts its best feet forward for July Fourth, but Main Street would not be Main Street in East Hampton on Monday without its marching contingents of flag-bearing veterans, cute Girl and Boy Scouts, proud firefighters, and shiny antique cars.

Village Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. had it exactly right at Friday's Village Board meeting. "Let's show visitors what a first-class American village is all about," he said with pardonable pride.

In this place and especially on this day, there is plenty to be proud of, to think about, and to remember. First, of course, are those for whom Memorial Day was created, the men and women who lost their lives in the service of their country. It is for them that the flags will wave on Monday and the drums and trumpets sound.

Many of the shops on Main Street and Newtown Lane that will display the flag were not there as recently as 10 years ago. The surrounding countryside has changed, too, in some places almost beyond recognition. But the Woods Lane canopy of trees at the entrance to the village remains - a living memorial - and the broad street, still wide enough to drive a herd of cattle on, with Town Pond at one end and Hook Mill at the other.

Natives or newcomers, year-round residents or weekenders, mom-and-pop shops or snazzy boutiques, there are memories enough here for all of us.