Marine Band Skips Parade After All

Many were excited to hear the initial news that a United States Marine Band would lead the 63rd Annual Miller Place-Rocky Point St. Patrick's Day Parade.

After some resistance from the Department of Defense and initial news that the band would not be allowed to attend, parade-goers were then excited once again to hear late last week that the band would in fact be leading the parade.

Unfortunately, those in attendance at Sunday's parade noticed that the parade was actually not led by the US Marine Band, as they were disallowed at the last minute.

"This week top officials promised the people of Rocky Point that they would allow the Marine Corps band to come to the parade, since it would cost them nothing and they have a long tradition of attending," said Marisa Kaufman, Deputy Press Secretary with Schumer's office. "We are extremely disappointed that at the 11th hour, late Friday night, they reversed their decision."

According to Schumer's office, after his intervention mid-week the band had said they would be able to come before changing their decision late Friday. Schumer reached out to the head of the band, spoke to them personally and tried to get them to come back. He was told, however, they weren’t allowed to because of wear and tear on the bus, even though everything else was paid for.

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