Ceremony in Greenlawn for injured LI vet

Huntington Town officials and the Huntington Tri-Village Little League will host a welcome ceremony in Greenlawn Saturday for Marine Lt. James Byler, a Huntington Station resident who lost both legs and two fingers after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in October.

The celebration at Greenlawn Memorial Park is scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m. Byler, who will be home on a visit from the Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Md., will receive a plaque for his service and dedication.

Organizers said the program will include songs performed in his honor and speeches by local politicians.

“It’s really about the town and community rallying around and supporting him,” one of the organizers, town board member Mark Mayoka, said. “And it’s part of ongoing fundraising efforts to make his home handicapped accessible. We’re very proud of our Huntington hometown hero.”

The event will continue through the day, with entertainment, games, food and raffle tickets on sale to raise money for Building Homes For Huntington Heroes. The proceeds will go toward renovating Byler’s home.

The park is at the junction of Pulaski Road, Cuba Hill Road and Broadway.

For more information, call Mayoka’s office at 631-351-3175.