In recognition of the thousands of men and women across Long Island who served or are actively serving in the United States Armed Forces, members of the Nassau County community gathered in front of the memorial at Eisenhower Park on Nov. 9 to honor local veterans for their courage and sacrifice.
The Veterans Day ceremony, led by the United Veterans Organization of Nassau County, celebrated the respect, resilience, and dedication of servicemen and women, while emphasizing the importance of veteran agencies that support those returning from active duty.
Morris Miller, past president and board member of the United Veterans Organization, served as master of ceremonies.
“As long as we are alive, we will never ever forget about our brothers,” Miller said. “They may not be with us physically, but they’re with us right here in our hearts.”
Eric Spinner, UVO chaplain and senior vice commander of Jewish War Veterans Post 652, led the convocation, offering a solemn prayer for all who have served.
“As we gather this Veterans Day in memory of all who have served and those who continue to serve,” Spinner said, “bless and protect our nation. Be merciful to our honored dead, whose valor, courage, and heroism inspire us to noble action and eternal vigilance in preserving our priceless liberty and our inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Spinner also led a poignant POW/MIA remembrance ceremony honoring those who never returned home, explaining the symbolism of each item on the small table set in their honor.
“As you enter the ceremony area today, you may have noticed a small table in a place of honor,” he said. “It is set for one, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her suppressors.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman thanked the veterans in attendance for their service and reflected on his family’s long history of military involvement.
“Today sometimes gets confused with Memorial Day,” Blakeman said. “Memorial Day is a sacred day. Not a holiday, but a day to remember those who died in the line of duty. Today is more of a celebration of the brave men and women who joined our armed forces to protect our freedom.”
Blakeman shared that both of his parents served during World War II, his son completed a five-year tour with the U.S. Marine Corps, and his nephew, who died on Sept. 11, 2001, was an U.S. Army veteran.
“Today, I am honored to be in your presence, to be your county executive, and to celebrate all of those brave and courageous men and women who served in the armed forces of the United States of America,” Blakeman said. “May God bless you all, may God bless them, and may God bless America.”
Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips commended veterans’ advocates for their tireless work.
“What they do isn’t fancy,” Phillips said. “It doesn’t get the limelight, but there is no one that works harder for our veterans than Ralph Esposito.”
She added that what makes Nassau County so special are the roughly 45,000 veterans who live here.
“In Nassau County, we will never forget. We will never stop honoring. We will never stop fighting for democracy,” Phillips said.
Ralph Esposito, director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, spoke about ongoing initiatives to support local veterans, including food drives and plans for a new housing project in Island Park.
During the ceremony, he personally thanked Blakeman for recently signing over the deed to the former Long Beach Motor Inn site on Austin Boulevard to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
The charitable nonprofit, founded in honor of New York City firefighter Steven Siller — who died on Sept. 11, 2001 — has committed to building 57 units of veteran housing on the site.
The Veterans Village will feature private bathrooms and kitchens in each unit, 24/7 on-site staff and clinicians, and services ranging from job training and entitlement advocacy to behavioral health care funded and operated by the foundation.
“You don’t know how important that is, especially on Veterans Week,” Esposito said. “This means a lot. Our veterans suffer every day, but we’re out there to help. We’re always there for you, and we always will be, as long as I have breath in me.”
The ceremony concluded with recognition of veterans from every branch of service, including those who fought in World War II and Korea, followed by a final salute from the Joint Armed Forces firing detail.
