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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Susan J. Grimaldi said that being named the grand marshal for the town's Fourth of July parade was "the most awesome experience" of her life. Just wait until she actually gets to head up the annual party-starter. "I never, ever expected such a grand honor as this," Grimaldi said. "I was in shock [when my name was announced as marshal at the Annual Town Meeting]. When reality started to set in, I started crying." Grimaldi thought that former Board of Selectmen and Planning Board member Marilyn Richards would receive the honor because of the list of activities read at the meeting. The two women have similar service-minded backgrounds: Grimaldi served as a selectman from 2000 to 2003, is a member of the Lion's Club, the Rotary Club, serves as the East Longmeadow Summer Concert Series chair, was an honorary Jaycee, is a 30-year member of Faith Tabernacle Church in Manchester, Conn., and a five-year sponsor of the Norcross House historic restoration and preservation project. She was also one of three members responsible for organizing the East Longmeadow Salutes fundraiser after Sept. 11, which gathered $10,000 for the American Red Cross. Grimaldi has been living in East Longmeadow since 1974, when she and her husband Al were married. The couple has no children, which Grimaldi said has led to her wanting to get involved in the town. "I have a nurturing nature," she said. "I love all the interaction with all the people. [East Longmeadow] hasn't lost the heart of a small town. I like being put in a position to help people. This might sound corny, but I love to make people smile." Twice in her life, Grimaldi has been in situations where she was told she wouldn't live for long, at age six and at 33. Now, at 54, she says, "You're on this earth for a reason. I want to leave a positive mark." Grimaldi will be the 11th resident to serve as the parade's grand marshal. Brian Falk, who serves as public relations representative for the Parade Committee, said that in the past, the grand marshal was in charge of organizing the parade. Today, the position is an honorary one. The grand marshal is chosen through nominations and through an interview process with the parade's previous grand marshals. This year's grand marshal was nominated by her husband. Carl Ohlin, chair of the Parade Committee, said he thinks Grimaldi was chosen because "she is a person who is continually there, who will tackle any problem." "We're very fortunate to live in a community and have as many high caliber people as Susan and the past grand marshals in it," Ohlin said. He has been chair of the Parade Committee for 12 years. Grimaldi's duties for this year's parade are simple: ride in a convertible in the parade and be honored as an upstanding citizen of East Longmeadow. | ||||||
