Navy to join Marines in helicopter landing

In the spirit of Memorial Day, this year's military helicopter landing at Eisenhower Park's Kite Field will be unlike any other.

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano announced Thursday that the annual event, set to take place May 28, will now incorporate U.S. Navy helicopters and personnel in addition to the traditional U.S. Marine Corps helicopters and personnel.

The free event will follow Nassau County's "Armed Forces Week," which Mangano declared begins Sunday, May 15, and lasts through Saturday, May 21.

At the helicopter landing, which begins at 10 a.m., the general public is invited to view and perhaps take a look inside the military helicopters and speak with war veterans.

"We encourage everyone to come out," Marine Capt. Bob Shuford said.

Mangano said he hopes families will come out to support the men and women of the military.

"Watching these helicopters fly in is awe-inspiring," he said. "We can enjoy the freedoms we have every day."