The Town of Huntington held a limited Veterans Day Ceremony on Sunday, November 8, on Veterans Plaza at Huntington Town Hall, including vocal performances by young Broadway star Makayla Connolly, to honor veterans of the Town of Huntington and across the nation.
Representing the Town of Huntington at the ceremony were Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, Councilwoman Joan Cergol, Councilman and veteran Ed Smyth, Town Clerk Andrew Raia, Receiver of Taxes Jillian Guthman, and the Huntington Veterans Advisory Board. Veterans Advisory Board members in attendance included Chairman Bill Ober, Vice Chairman Fred Amore, Liaison to the Supervisor Paul Kelly, Treasurer Bob Santo, and members Donna Boyle, Jerald Griliches, Albert “Butch” Jensen, Mortimer Roberts, and Richard C. Serynek.
The United States Coast Guard Eaton’s Neck Station was represented by Officer in Charge Eric White. Veterans organizations were represented at the ceremony: Gary Steinmueller, Commander, Nathan Hale VFW Post 1469; Fred Amore, Commander, Elwood/Commack VFW Post 9263; Butch Jensen, Combat Infantrymen’s Association; Andrew Lawrence, Vice Commander, Huntington American Legion Post 360; Donna Boyle, Commander, Greenlawn American Legion Post 1244 and Women Veterans; Bill McKenna, Commander, Northport American Legion Post 694; Jerald Griliches, Jewish War Veterans Post 488; Richard Serynek, Northport Lt. J.M. Cumming Disabled American Veterans Chapter 19; Rocky Paduano, Commandant, Marine Corps League Huntington Detachment 792; Paul Kelly and Fred Amore, Chairmen, Vietnam Veterans Committee, Vietnam Veterans of America; Navy SeaBee Veterans of America.
Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) Chairman Bill Ober acknowledged the upcoming 245th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, VAB member Albert “Butch” Jensen led the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, and VAB Liaison to the Supervisor Paul Kelly delivered a remembrance of veterans lost.
Broadway actress and singer Makayla Connolly, star of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Lyric Theatre in New York City, performed the National Anthem and God Bless America.
Deacon Jean Cantave of St. Francis of Assisi R.C. Church in Greenlawn delivered the invocation and benediction; bagpiper Brad Davidson of the Northport Pipe and Drum Band performed Amazing Grace; and Veterans Advisory Board Vice Chairman Fred Amore raised the flag and later played Taps on the electric bugle.
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci joined Veterans Advisory Board Chairman Bill Ober and Vice Chairman Fred Amore for the presentation of a wreath to honor all veterans at the flag pole on the Plaza.
Chief Brian Keane of the Huntington Fire Department, Chief Jon Hoffman of the Huntington Manor Fire Department and volunteer firefighters displayed the American Flag for the ceremony from fire trucks on Main Street.
Attendance at the Veterans Day Ceremony was limited to 50 attendees and took place amidst the American flag display known as the “Field of Honor” organized by the Kiwanis Club of Huntington. Attendees pre-RSVP’d to ensure the service would adhere to New York State limitations on public gatherings.
For the 11th year in a row, The Kiwanis Club of Huntington is sponsoring a “Field of Honor” of American flags on display at Huntington Town Hall. 3’x5’ American flags are mounted on 8’ poles surrounding Veterans Plaza on the front lawn of Huntington Town Hall. Each flag has its own custom-printed gold ribbon personalized and dedicated to each veteran honoree. Flags can be purchased at BuyAFlag.org for $35. Flags were assembled in September 2020 and will be taken down in December 2020. Net proceeds benefit veterans’ and children’s causes in Huntington.
In the photos (r-l): Veterans Advisory Board Chairman Bill Ober; Cmdt. Rocky Paduano, Marine Corp League Huntington Detatchment #792; Broadway star Makayla Connolly; Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci; VAB Vice Chair Fred Amore, Brad Davidson, Northport Pipe and Drum Band; VAB Liaison to the Supervisor Paul Kelly. Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci delivers welcoming comments at 2020 Veterans Day Ceremony. Attendees at 2020 Veterans Day Ceremony.