A Grand Marshal has been defined as a person who has been honored as the ceremonial leader of a parade. They can be seen in open convertibles, waving at throngs of onlookers standing along a predetermined route.

 

 Del Marier, a U.S. Navy veteran and lifelong resident of Webster, will serve as grand marshal for the Webster Dudley Memorial Day Parade.

Mr. Marier as a U.S. Navy seaman; and the USS Pocono.

Famous Grand Marshals include: Frank Sinatra, Erma Bombeck and Shirley Temple. The Grand Marshal’s tenure is usually for a single parade and he or she is not to be confused with the Drum Major. The D-M is always the tallest dude, wears a visored bearskin headpiece, carries a mace, leads the band, and knows how to strut. The whistle is his or hers for as long as they want to keep it.

Del Marier has been honored by the Webster Dudley Veterans’ Council in being named Grand Marshal of the 2023 Memorial Day Parade.

Del is a lifelong resident of Webster, having been born in 1932 in a modest home on Upland Ave. He has resided in almost every neighborhood in town. Del is content anywhere, as long as it is in Webster. Although the name ‘Adelard’  is of German origin, Del’s father was French and his mother was Polish…and, he says, that is why he went to St. Joseph School. Eight years with the Felician Sisters prepared him for his stint at Bartlett High School, but not for the tragedy that would soon occur. Del’s dad was involved in a serious accident that would keep him out of work for a long time. Del was an only child. He left school at age sixteen and entered the workforce to help out with expenses at home. He found steady work at the Webster Shoe Company. Job Title: Rougher!

 In 1951 there was a war on the Korean Peninsula that got the attention of the United Nations. Del and two of his buddies, Bob Lavallee and Roger Daviau, enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After taking the oath the recruits were sent to Newport, Rhode Island for twelve weeks of boot camp. Indoctrination was not at all like high school. The boys endured the tough curriculum, graduated, and watched for the posting of new assignments, Lavallee became a Seabee. Daviau’s new duty station remains a mystery.

Del Marier was ordered to report to the USS POCONO AGC-16, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He had won a Ticket to Paradise in the U.S. Navy Lottery. POCONO had recently been recommissioned and was being refitted. Seaman Marier was assigned to the Deck Force, a.k.a. Deck Apes, who excelled at swabbing decks and chipping paint. They were a vital part in keeping a ship ‘Ship-Shape.’ When work was completed at the Navy Yard, POCONO and her new crew set sail for Norfolk, Virginia.

USS POCONO AGC-16 was an Adirondack Class Amphibious Command Ship, light on weapons but a heavyweight in communications. She was fitted with two five-inch 38 single barrel gun mounts backed up by several 40mm and 20mm AA guns. A third five-inch gun mount was removed and replaced with a helicopter pad at the Admiral’s request, sort of a ‘rank has privileges’ upgrade. The AGC was most often found at the center of the formation, protected by Cruisers and Destroyers. The Task Group also included supply ships of every kind necessary for the mission. The area of operations included the East Coast south to the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the North American Mainland, the area east of Central America and north of South America.  Ports in Haiti, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, St. Maarten and New Orleans were visited when not training. Drills were held day and night: gunnery practice, general quarters ‘Man Your Battle Stations’, or Man Overboard. It was tiring and a weekend on the beaches of Nassau was always a welcome diversion. USS MT. MCKINLEY AGC7 and USS ELDORADO AGC11 were seeing action in Korea. The POCONO was on ‘stand by’, awaiting rotation to the 7th Fleet in the Pacific. The call never came…it was disappointing.

By this time Del had his sea legs and was as ‘salty’ as a sailor could be. He transferred to the Quartermaster Section and became a Helmsman, steering the ship through treacherous waters and violent storms (like in the movies). Other duties included mopping, cleaning, chipping and painting and caring for Navigational Charts and Publications. He also assisted the Deck Officer and Navigator when called upon. Occasionally, Del would write a letter to Mom and Dad….and Joan.

Del and Joan both attended St. Joseph School. Despite the fact that Joan was always one grade ahead of Del, the youngsters got along well and a romance blossomed as the years flew by. Adelard and Joan were married in 1952. Del remained at the helm of the POCONO until his commitment to the Navy expired. Joan continued helping out at the family business.

The POCONO was homeported in Norfolk and Del was able to hitchhike home as the schedule allowed. Early in 1955 Del took a discharge rather than a bonus for re-enlistment. The newlyweds could settle back into life together in Webster…maybe even start a family. Del went to work for Piasta Dairy, peddling milk while pumping gas at his father-in-law’s garage, Bruno’s Citgo, on East Main Street. Mr. Woznicki was thrilled to have Del and daughter Joan helping out. And someday his four grandchildren may even take over the business.

The Mariers were a working class family, they had the necessities, more frugal than flamboyant, both parents were gainfully employed and contributors to society. Joanie worked for the Post Office in Shrewsbury, and Del was a factory guy, cotton, wool, shoes or Security. He retired at age seventy-six when Anglo Fabrics replaced the Security Guards with cameras. It is ironic that the factory burned down shortly thereafter

Life at sea is just a memory now. Del lives in a comfortable apartment at Golden Heights, the senior housing facility on Slater Street that gets its name from the dandelion displays, prevalent at the site or more likely it refers to the ‘Golden Years’ that the residents are experiencing.

The Happy Helmsman is a member of the Webster-Dudley Post 184 American Legion and the Polish American Vets. He is also the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, and an honorable discharge. Del served his country faithfully and is deserving of the title “GRAND MARSHAL”.

Seaman Marier will be back in the wheelhouse one more time, guiding a convoy of comrades through the harbor of his hometown on Memorial Day, while a grateful nation pauses in respect.

Steady as you go, Del, the POCONO ain’t what she used to be!

Submitted by Don Wayman, 2023