A solemn crowd gathered today on a crisp clear autumn Veteran’s Day to honor the memory of 1st Lt. Ronald D. Winchester, USMC.

The Village of Rockville Centre co-named the street on which he grew up as 1st Lt. Ronald D. Winchester Road. The beautiful new street signs were specially designed in Marine Corps colors with a red background, gold lettering and the Marine Corps emblem.

Many neighbors, friends and classmates joined the Winchester family for the moving ceremony.  Village Mayor Mary Bossart, all three village trustees as well as the village fire and police chiefs were present.  State Senator Dean Skelos, County Legislator Joseph Scannell, color guards from two Marine Corps League detachments, Leatherneck MC riders, American Legion, VFW, Patriot Guard Riders and Gathering of Eagles rounded out the crowd. A bagpiper from the Nassau County P.D. Emerald Society played between speechs.

My name is Mack Ferrick (former) Sgt. USMC, 1962-1966. I was an infantry squad leader with Company C, First Battalion Seventh Marines in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, on March 1966.Operation Indiana occurred on 28 March 1966 against an NVA (North Vietnamese Army) Battalion in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of South Vietnam. The battle was incredibly ferocious and the bloodiest endured by the First Battalion in its first year in country. Approximately 59 casualties were sustained, with 55 from C Company, better known as “Suicide Charley" ? of Guadalcanal fame. Half of the company was either killed or wounded that day.