The Era of Free Spirit and Adventure
As the department entered the 1960s, they began to solicit by direct mail for funds and use their promotion in conjunction with the Annual Labor Day events. At the 1960 event, the Labor Day Chairman, John Larkin, made a presentation to Mr. William E. Koutensky, President of the L.I. National Bank. The presentation included a white Chief's Helmet with the inscription "Honorary Member" for his long and distinguished record of service to the Labor Day Committee and the department.
Once again, tragedy struck the Labor Day events in 1961. Chief William Michaelson from East Norwich suffered a heart attack and died hours later in Meadowbrook Hospital. At the same parade, the department recognized ex-Chief George Neder as the oldest (92) active living firefighter in N.Y. State. The drill also witnessed a dramatic drop in attendance when an existing heatwave enabled temperatures to reach 98°.
During the years of 1961 and '62, the department had a live version of the Star-Spangled Banner. First in 1961 with Mr. Larry Douglas, Broadway singing star, and again in 1962 with Walter Baldwin, Company Three. Both men opened the day's events by singing the anthem with the music provided by the Freeport Band. Portions of the tournament events were covered on the TV News Channel 4 with anchorman Gabe Pressman.
In 1963, Nassau County Police Officials estimated that over 15,000 people jammed the parade route to see U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy ride with County Executive Eugene Nickerson in the parade. As a result of this, News Channel 4 provided full coverage of the parade.
