Cassone made a music video featuring footage of past Memorial Day parades in his hometown of Port Chester that captures its meaning and significance in towns across Westchester and the nation.
Growing up on Westchester Avenue, he had a front-row seat to the parades in which the crowd would be three rows deep.
Coming back to Port Chester about five years ago, he noticed the crowds had dwindled.
"They didn't even stop the traffic last time I was there," Cassone said. "It used to be wild. It made me want to write a song and put a video together."
Cassone's father served in the Navy in World War II and was wounded by a Japanese kamikaze pilot in the battle over the Philippines.
"We were instilled with reverence for the military," Cassone said. "We remembered those who sacrificed. There were a lot of heroes."
Memorial Day is not just about BBQs and ballgames. Cassone said he remembers when the day was always May 30 instead of being on a Monday.
"It's a special day," Cassone said. "I want people to remember what the day is about."
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