Rockville Centre
HERALD Molloy College freezes tuition
A vigil for nursing home workers
Four run for school board
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VOL. 31 NO. 22
MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2020
Village finds new ways to honor the fallen By JILL NOSSA jnossa@liherald.com
Christina Daly/Herald
ROCKVILLE CENTRE POLICE Commissioner James Vafeades and Inspector Kenneth Schaefer placed a wreath inside the memorial circle during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony.
Memorial Day was celebrated differently this year in Rockville Centre, but a small ceremony still took place at Veterans Memorial Park, outside the John A. Anderson Recreation Center, on Monday, organized by American Legion Post 303 and attended by Mayor Francis X. Murray and members of the village police and fire departments. “We at the post wanted to have this ceremony to honor the men and women who gave
their lives for our country,” Commander Frank Colon said, acknowledging the “unusual circumstances” the country faces amid the coronavirus pandemic. Attendees were socially distanced around the park, and most wore masks. Rabbi Cpt. Mark Getman offered opening and closing prayers, and asked as well for a moment of silence for all who have lost their lives while serving the country. “It means so much to all of those [families] who have lost members in some of our wars,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
SSHS alum graduates from Coast Guard Academy By JILL NOSSA jnossa@liherald.com
For the first time in the 100year history of Rockville Centre American Legion Post 303, a U.S. Coast Guard ensign was commissioned at the post on Maple Avenue on May 20. Joseph Busching, a 2016 graduate of South Side High School, is the first SSHS alumnus to graduate from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as an ensign. He was commissioned in a ceremony outside the post entrance, with several dozen socially distanced people in attendance, including members of his family, the post and the village Fire
Department, as well as Mayor Francis X. Murray. “This is the first time in the history of our post, over 100 years, that we’ve had a member get commissioned at the post,” Commander Frank Colon told the audience. “It’s quite an honor.” Under normal circumstances, Busching’s graduation and commissioning would have taken place at the academy, in New London, Conn., the culmination of a week-long series of events including a formal ball and a barbecue. But those events were canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic, so the village stepped up, and its ceremony included a
drive-by parade of fire trucks. “Being in Rockville Centre for many years, I’ve had the privilege of watching Joe grow up,” Murray said, noting that Busching used to spend Sundays at the firehouse with his father, John, a 36-year member and a former captain. “There are many paths a young man can take in this world, and in this village. Some choose the wrong one; some choose the easy one. Joseph has not chosen the easy one. He took the right path to excellence, and has done a great job.” Busching graduated from SSHS with an International Baccalaureate diploma, and Regents honors in math and science. At
age 13, he had become an inaugural member of the Fire Department’s Juniors Program. “He rose through the ranks from second lieutenant to first lieutenant,” Murray said, “and became a two-term captain.” Busching was a Town of Hempstead lifeguard from age 16 until he left for college, and joined the American Legion two
years ago. Murray presented him with a proclamation from the village, telling him, “This village was behind you before and is behind you now, and everything you go through as an ensign in the United States Coast Guard.” Busching, who earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational CONTINUED ON PAGE 31