Nassau County officials and community leaders renamed a local street in Plainview to honor healthcare heroes, first responders, and essential workers who fought to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Officials changed a section of Old Country Road between Kalda Lane and Central Park Road to “Heroes Way” during a rededication ceremony Tuesday.
“On behalf of the residents of Plainview Old Bethpage Community we owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid,” said Nassau Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview). “What we can do is dedicate a small token of our appreciation by permanently saluting your heroism for all to see. Each and every day when we drive, jog, or walk past this road our grateful community will be reminded that we are blessed because true live heroes work here day in and day out to come to our rescue whenever duty or need calls.”
The token of appreciation comes after Long Island recently entered the fourth and final phase of reopening from the coronavirus shutdown while cases are on the rise in other states nationwide. The street renaming follows similar thanks such as buildings being lit up to show gratitude and ribbons being hung to show gratitude.
The Hero’s Way dedication ceremony began with the pledge of allegiance led by local girl scouts followed by a moment of silence for the more than 575,000 lives lost globally to COVID-19. Officials also acknowledged the heroic efforts of various community members including Plainview School District officials, Nassau police officers, and ambulance crews.
“I always say that this crisis did not create heroes; it revealed the heroes who were already among us,” Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said true heroes are those who leave their homes and their families to go out and protect others.
Then the crowd began counting down from three and while cheering “one” members of the fire department lifted a black cloth revealing the gleaming white street sign with the words “Hero’s Way” in blue.
“We are renaming this road as Heroes Way because here on Long Island, born out of the darkness of a once in a lifetime pandemic, lifelong heroes emerged,” said Nassau Legislator Josh Lafazan (D-Syosset). “May this sign serve as an enduring reminder that when called to respond, our communities can find heroes in all walks of life and that all of us can when we need it most find heroism in our hearts.”
Curran praised the location of the sign saying, “I could not think of a better place, this is right where the Central Island Nursing Home, the Plainview Fire Department, and Plainview Hospital all converge.”
The ceremony ended with Drucker presenting citations to some important community members commemorating their efforts during the pandemic.
“We will always remember the hardworking men and women who got us through this,” said Curran.
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