Long Islanders celebrate Memorial Day with tributes to fallen, barbecues and parades
This story was reported by Morgan Campbell, Vera Chinese, Lisa L. Colangelo, James Carbone, Michael O'Keeffe, Linda Rosier, Howard Schnapp, and Dandan Zou. It was written by O’Keeffe.
Drums boomed, flags flew and proud residents marched in towns and hamlets across Long Island on Memorial Day to honor the American men and women who died while serving in the military.
Residents also celebrated the unofficial start of summer with backyard barbecues and by relaxing with friends and family members on Long Island’s beaches. Heather Cordeira of Seaford, celebrating her 46th birthday at Jones Beach, said she hoped for a summer season like the one before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I'm hoping things will get back to normal," Cordeira said. "I'm looking forward to the warm weather. This is the best time of the year."
Gathering for Gold Star families
About 200 veterans, supporters, Gold Star families and dignitaries gathered at Calverton National Cemetery for the first Memorial Day ceremony there since 2019 due to pandemic-related cancellations.
Keynote speaker Steve Coleman, a U.S. Navy veteran and the associate director for environment, safety and health at Brookhaven National Lab, remembered the heroism and courage of his fellow service members who never made it home.
“I hold them dearly in our memories,” he said. “We’ll never stop honoring them for the freedoms and protections afforded to us.”
Dee Bonacasa, wife of Air Force Staff Sgt. Louis Bonacasa of Coram who was killed in Afghanistan in 2015, said Memorial Day is about securing the legacy of service members.
“It is a reminder of the realities of war, and for the families and for some, Memorial Day is every day,” Bonacasa said. “This year make Memorial Day the sacred remembrance of sacrifice and suffering for the people. Pause and see how this may change your life for the good.”
In Massapequa, hundreds of people lined the streets to cheer the veterans as Scouts, marching bands and first responders took part in the community’s annual Memorial Day parade.
Ray and Lenora Hirt of Massapequa took their grandchildren, Jackson, 1, and Julianna, 6, to watch the parade and teach them about those who came — and served — before them.
“My father was a veteran, my uncle who just recently passed away was a veteran, and I just want to teach them about this day," Lenora Hirt said. “It's a tradition."
Members of Post 7763, all from Massapequa Park, observe a moment of silence at Brady Park. From left, Bob Duffy, 72, Richard Magee, who will turn 90 Tuesday, and Vic Crespo, 73. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Solemn ceremonies, marches honor the war dead
At Brady Park, the end of the parade route, a solemn ceremony was held to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
More than a dozen wreaths were placed in the park to honor fallen members of service. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman asked everyone to observe a 50-second moment of silence in their honor.
Vietnam veteran Lenny Scheiner, 73, said it is important to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day. He said he will take time to remember his fallen brothers and sisters.
“What we should really have in the back of our mind is those brothers and sisters that gave their life so that we can be here today,” said Scheiner, who served in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969.
Brenda Ulloa, of Brentwood, watches the Memorial Day parade along Washington Avenue in Brentwood with her 9-month-old daughter Valerie, and her son Joshua, 6. Credit: James Carbone
The Plainview Fire Department siren interrupted the silence of a hot and lazy holiday by blasting its siren at noon, while Central Islip resident John Jackson said Memorial Day for him was about honoring those who fought and died for their country.
Central Islip High School's marching band at Monday's Memorial Day parade in Central Islip. Credit: James Carbone
"It is a day to remember the men and women who served in our armed forces and gave their lives for us so we could have the freedoms we have," Jackson said before the Central Islip High School marching band, volunteer firefighters and others paraded through the hamlet.
In Brentwood, members of the American Legion paraded through the hamlet with the Brentwood High School Marching Band, Air Force ROTC students, Cub Scouts and others to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice for their nation. The parade included antique vehicles, including a vintage fire truck and old-fashioned ambulance.
“Because of our past soldiers who fought and died for our country, that is why we have the life we have now and it is important to preserve that memory and cherish it yearly,” said Sharon Hoover, commander of Brentwood’s American Legion Post 1006.
Beachgoers swim in the ocean at Smith Point County Park in Shirley on Monday. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Holiday revelry at the beach
Smith Point County Park in Shirley was already crowded by midday, with a long line of cars waiting to get into the parking lot. Jordan Woodley, 16, of Holtsville, said the beach was already getting crowded when she and her family arrived at 9 a.m. to stake their claim on the beach.
She was brave enough to wade into the water even though ocean temperatures were in the 50s. “It’s pretty cold,” Woodley said.
Paige Stern of Shoreham said her sister dropped her off with her nieces Cali Brittingham, 5, and Nina Brittingham, 4, of Easton, Maryland, as the rest of the family waited to park. The girls, wearing mermaid costumes, frolicked in the shallow water near the shoreline.
“It’s just a fun day in the sun,” Stern said.
Michelle and Paul Bermani of Selden brought homemade tuna sandwiches as Michelle crocheted a blanket to donate to a charity benefiting organ donors. The couple said they spotted whales off in the distance earlier in the day.
“We’ve seen them the last couple of years,” Michelle Bermani said. “There was a whole pod of them going for a while.”
For thousands of Long Island students, Memorial Day also serves as a reminder that school will soon be out for the summer. Helly Ramos, 10, of New Hyde Park, said she hopes to spend more time at the beach.
"My favorite thing to do at the beach is swim," said Helly, standing with her dad, Mario, and mom, Elena, at Jones Beach. "Maybe I'll also go to the pool this summer."
