All salute the grand marshal

Korean War veteran Jean Platania Littman, 90, will be honored as the 2021 grand marshal of the East Moriches Veterans Day Parade. The parade will take place on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. along East Main Street in East Moriches from Adelaide Avenue heading east to Soldier and Sailors Field.

Littman served in the Marines from 1952 to 1955, during the Korean War.

At 9 years old, when her uncle and cousin enlisted, she knew she wanted to follow in their footsteps. In 1952, at 19 years old, she enlisted in the Marines, with the written permission of her father. She was stationed in California and Virginia from 1952 to 1955.

At first, she was part of the motor pool, where she worked as a driver for two years at El Toro, Santa Anna, Calif. She was also assigned to reenlistment and recruiting and spent many days supporting the airfield. After El Toro, she was stationed at Henderson Hall in D.C., where she worked at the Marine Corps Institute.

During the Korean War, she earned her National Defense Medal and her Good Conduct Medal. She served her three-year enlistment and had planned to reenlist when she met and married her husband, and they decided to start a family. Together they had four sons, nine grandchildren and even a few great-grandchildren.

She grew up in Brooklyn and now lives in Shirley. Her late husband, who died 45 years ago, was an Air Force veteran who also served during the Korean War.

She is currently an active member of Women Marines Association LI NY 7 and holds the responsibility of communications. She is known for helping older veterans, who may not have social media or email, stay in contact by calling them biweekly and letting them know about current events and meetings.

“I was honored and shocked when I found out they had picked me,” Littman said of being named the grand marshal.  “I love this country.”

She said she looks forward to attending the parade with some of her family members and even plans to decorate her walker in red, white and blue.

According to the chamber, Littman was the obvious choice, though making the decision of the grand marshal is a difficult one every year. Fellow Marine StaceyAnn Castro-Tapler is a friend of Littman’s and a member of the Women Marines group as well.

“She’s a tough cookie. She is a female Korean War veteran; she is a trailblazer; she did things that were unheard of at that time,” she said. “She is an inspiration.”

“I thank Jean for her service to our country and her continued active work with fellow female veterans,” said Legis. Jim Mazzarella. “I can think of no one more deserving to be this year’s grand marshal of the Veterans Day parade. It has been truly amazing to see the entire community come together to assist her and recognize her service. Mrs. Littman’s patriotism and commitment to her service to her fellow veterans has made her a true local celebrity.”