Under the auspices of William Bradford Turner Post 265, Memorial Day ceremonies returned to the Seventh Street War Memorial this year. Despite the unpredictable weather, residents gathered on Monday, May 31 to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Post Commander Frank Tauches, Jr. welcomed all those in attendance.
Mayor Cosmo Veneziale attended the ceremony, along with trustees Colleen Foley, Mary Carter Flanagan and Tom O’Brien. The mayor thanked Commander Tauches for his service to country and Garden City.
“Memorial Day is not the start of summer,” Veneziale said. “Memorial Day is a day to remember, respect and reflect on all who served our country and lost their lives in defense of our nation. We as Americans can freely worship, freely speak, freely assemble, freely publish and freely petition government. This is only possible due to the courage, bravery and sacrifice of our service men and women. On this Memorial Day, lets all remember the debt of gratitude these men and women are owed.”
Jacqueline Eltringham, president of the American Legion Auxiliary, spoke of the effort to distribute poppies throughout the month of May and the community’s support of the Auxiliary’s mission. The Auxiliary helps veterans in need, including members of Ward 8A in the Northport VA Medical Center.
“We thank you for helping us fulfill our mission, to encourage patriotism, love of country and volunteerism, and help to contribute to all the veterans in need,” Eltringham said.
Commander Tauches read aloud the names of the war dead who served during World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam and Iraq. Bugler Augustin Mingoia Murphy, a Scout with Garden City Troop 55 and a student at Garden City High School, played Taps. For his service project this year, Augustin is working with the non-profit, Music & Memory, to collect gently used iPods, iPod chargers, headphones and Apple iTunes gift cards needed for music therapy programs at nursing homes and facilities that help Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. His project will directly benefit veterans at the Long Island State Veterans Home. Items may be dropped off at 7 Monroe St. this week.
—Submitted by the Village of Garden City
