LIers spend weekend honoring those who served

From the mournful sound of "Taps" in military cemeteries to the roar of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at Jones Beach, Long Islanders mixed remembrance with relaxation Saturday as they marked the start of the Memorial Day weekend.

Thousands of spectators packed the Jones Beach boardwalk and sands to watch an aerial armada crisscross the skies during the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show.

Even as they admired the daredevil twists and turns of the pilots, many spectators said their thoughts turned to servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives in the nation's wars, past and present.

"Memorial Day is basically a day to remember all the people who have done a job for this country, and to show the kids the history of this country so when they grow up they will have a better point of view," said Lisette Granados, 28, of Central Islip, who was at the air show with her husband, Marlon, and their children, daughter Brianna, 8, and son Angel, 2.

"I'm proud to be an American," said Adrienne Jerry, 46, of Mastic, who said her son is in the Marines. "Not to sound so cliche, but it's true."

Visitors coming through the Field 4 tunnel were greeted with the sight of more than 5,000 ribbons - one for each soldier who has died in Afghanistan and Iraq. Members of peace organizations such as Pax Christi, Veterans for Peace and the North Country Peace Group read the names of dozens of Long Island soldiers who have died in the two wars.

"We want to keep the awareness of those who sacrificed and died," said Judi Gardner of Huntington. "We want them home."

At Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, a crowd cheered on weapon-toting Marines as they raced from four helicopters, got down on their bellies and surveyed the distance for possible enemy fighters.

For the demonstration's purposes, the landing area was a hostile zone. But in reality, the hundreds of Long Islanders gathered at the park were anything but hostile.

"We come out to support the troops and show the kids what we have in our arsenal," said John Pinto, of Merrick, who was there with his father, Lawrence Pinto, a World War II Marine veteran who was at Iwo Jima, and his sons, P.J. and Danny Pinto. "It's a real nice event."

Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and other groups placed small American flags at graves in Long Island National Cemetery, Pinelawn, and at Calverton National Cemetery.

Bob Chavanne, of Valley Stream, was at the Pinelawn cemetery at 6:30 a.m. Saturday to play his bugle at a ceremony for a local serviceman who was killed in Vietnam.

"When I can give honor to the great veterans, I do so because without them I would not have the great freedoms," Chavanne said. "When I play, I try to play with perfection because they deserve it."

After playing "Taps" at the ceremony, Chavanne said he spent hours walking among thousands of gravestones, stopping to play for Medal of Honor recipients and at a section of the cemetery for Iraq war dead.

"There's a story behind each tombstone, some young, some old, and our heart goes out to each family," Chavanne said. "If I could, I would play at every tombstone . . . I do it for the souls, to let them know that somebody really cares out there."

With Melanie Lefkowitz

and Jennifer Gundersen