New York Naval Cadet Corps come to Valley Stream

The New York Naval Cadet Corps made an appearance at the village of Valley Stream's  Memorial Day ceremony — which took place at the corner of Hicks Street and Valley Stream Boulevard on Monday. 

The New York Naval Cadet Corps (NYNCC), which formed in January 2018, is a non-federally funded group made up of children and teens in third grade to senior year in high school who learn customs and courtesies of the Navy while serving various communities. 

For Memorial Day, many of the cadet members of the New York Naval Cadet Corps said they reflected on the meaning of the day. 

“The meaning of Memorial Day has evolved over the years … the origins date back to thousands of years ago in ancient Greek and Roman societies, to Civil War hero recognition to Decoration Day during WWI to our present day Memorial Day recognition of heroes that have given the ultimate sacrifice,” said Lynbrook resident, Dawn Samuel, who holds the rank title lieutenant commander for the New York Naval Cadet Corps. “Children, as well as, all of us need socialization, and at these young ages, it is crucial to continue with routine and structure because it gives them something to look forward to and that is why the cadets still participated in the Valley Stream Memorial Day ceremony.” 

Samuel said she has been with her New York Naval Cadet Corps group for over three years and she said she has watched them take on responsibility for each other, as well as, for the community. She said on previous Memorial Days, the group has supported the Nassau County American Legion in the Four Chaplains ceremony and attended the Memorial Day Ceremony at Eisenhower Park, in which they placed wreaths at the graves of veterans. The cadets also participated in a parade for a WWII veteran in New Hyde Park and Port Washington during previous Memorial Day holidays.

For this year’s holiday weekend, there was a group of four cadets who were taken to Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale to put flags on graves. At the cemetery, they performed a ceremony with a prayer, speeches and a salute. On the Sunday before this Memorial Day, the cadet group was scheduled to participate in the Hempstead parade, however, the parade was cancelled due to the rain.  

After attending the Valley Stream Memorial Day ceremony, the New York Naval Cadet Corps celebrated at the American Legion Post.  

“This year, with the pandemic, things have actually been busier for the cadets because many schools did not provide a band to march in their parades, so the NYNCC was asked by several communities to participate,” Samuel said. “The cadets practice social distancing and they wear masks, which sometimes creates a challenge when marching or being able to hear the orders given by officers. However, the NYNCC was able to continue meeting and drilling this year and I believe that has taken away some of the bite of the effects that the pandemic has had on them as a whole.”

For many of the cadets, on Memorial Day, while they reflected on the meaning of the day, many of them also said they reflected on how the pandemic has impacted the way they recognize the day. 

“Memorial Day was different this year for naval cadets with the pandemic because normally when we do drills we are packed together tightly, but, now we have to be spaced apart and socially distanced,” said NYNCC Cadet member, Emely Garcia. “Sometimes it’s even hard for us to hear commands when we do drills because now we have to wear masks and this puts more pressure on the company commanders because they have to yell commands even louder than usual.” 

“I believe it is vital to celebrate Memorial Day in order to honor veterans and those who have risked and lost their lives, while serving in the military,” added Isis Perez, another NYNCC Cadet member. “I hope the pandemic will disappear soon because the outbreak has created a strain in my personal life, as well as, the cadet group’s parades and trips. I hope that in the future we will be able to participate in more parades, have less problems with drilling and go on more camping trips.”