MIDDLE ISLAND, NY – Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker recently joined local elected officials, the Middle Island Civic Association, the Longwood Alliance, local community organizations and fire departments, veterans, active military personnel, and the Longwood community at Bartlett Pond Park for the 12th Annual Veterans Day Commemoration ceremony. The event included a flag ceremony, wreath-laying, introductions of all veterans, active military and families in attendance, and an announcement of two additions to the Longwood World War II Memorial.
As the daughter of Navy veteran, I am honored to be in the presence of so many veterans who bravely served our country and their families, and to be able to thank them for their service on this Veterans Day,
said Legislator Sarah Anker. Thank you to the Longwood Alliance and the Middle Island Civic Association for hosting this ceremony to honor and thank our country’s veterans and active military personnel.
I am so happy that we could honor our Veterans at Bartlett Pond Park during this challenging year,
said Middle Island Civic Association President Gail Bailey. We paid special tribute to members of the Greatest Generation, 75 years after the end of WWII. We recognized more than two dozen living veterans who attended the Commemoration ceremony and received our community's thanks. Now more than ever, we value their efforts and our ability to come together, safely, to grant them the gratitude and respect all our veterans deserve.
During the Commemoration ceremony, it was announced that two individuals were added to the Longwood World War II Memorial this year. One of the individuals, Frank LaMagra, was in attendance and celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year. The other individual, Dr. Louis Nannini served as Longwood’s first school superintendent and passed away earlier this year at age 103. In addition to honoring these two brave veteran community members, three recently departed Longwood firefighters and veterans, Donald Young, Vincent Mirando and James Powers, were also honored.
Veterans Day, also known as Armistice Day, is a federally recognized holiday established in 1919 on the anniversary of the end of World War I. On this day, we honor and thank those who have fought for our country’s freedom and those who are active duty military personnel fighting for us at home and overseas.
Legislator Sarah Anker has worked closely with the Suffolk County Veterans Services and facilitated the creation of the Suffolk County Veterans Resource Guide. The guide is an informational book that provides resources and information about available services, benefits and opportunities for veterans, their families and caregivers. “I encourage any veteran, service member or caregiver to review this informative packet to see if they would benefit or qualify for any of the programs outlined,” said Legislator Anker. The resource guide can be accessed at https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Portals/4/docs/SuffolkCountyVetGuide.pdf?ver=2020-02-10-150412-320 or printed copies can be requested from Legislator Anker’s office by calling 631-854-1600.
Pictured: Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker, local elected officials, Middle Island Civic Association, Longwood Alliance, local community organizations and fire departments, veterans, active military personnel, and the Longwood community join veteran Frank LaMagra who was honored at the ceremony.
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