Valley Stream honors its heroes on Veterans Day

Residents gathered at the Arthur J. Hendrickson Park gazebo on Friday for the village’s Veterans Day ceremony — waving flags and humming along to a war song melody by bugler Bob Chavonne.

Mayor Ed Fare noted that Nov. 10 — one day earlier — was the 241st anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.

“On such an auspicious and significant marker in the history of our military, and as we gather to pay honor and tribute to those who wore all the uniforms of our nation’s armed services, I am mindful of the many brave men and women who continue to do so today,” he said. “Our military personnel who are in harm’s way, fighting and, often tragically, dying for our freedoms and our cherished way of life.”

Air Force veteran Jack Sharkey led the Pledge of Allegiance and Central High School student Kristen Smith sang the national anthem. Marie McNair, of the Baha’i Center of Nassau County, delivered the invocation.

As per tradition, the day marked the kickoff of the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots, in conjunction with the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce, and people lingered at the Community Center for refreshments after the ceremony.