Socially distanced ceremony honors fallen soldiers

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Fallen soldiers were remembered differently in Glen Cove this year because the pandemic’s conditions made it impossible to hold the annual Memorial Day Parade.

The Memorial Day ceremonies began at the Glen Cove Voluntary Fire Department. A brief outdoor ceremony was held, that included Michael Mienko who played the trumpet.

A ceremony at Glen Cove City Hall followed as veterans, members of the Glen Cove Memorial Day Parade Committee, U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi, State Assemblyman Charles Lavine, State Senator James Gaughran and Mayor Tim Tenke honored fallen soldiers. A prayer from Reverend Roger Williams opened the ceremony that included speeches and a trumpeter named Josiah Ashelow.

Afterwards, wreaths were placed at war memorials around Glen Cove, including Monument Park. Members of Long Island Laboring Against Covid-19, or LILAC, were there to meet with Suozzi, local leaders and veterans, to honor fallen soldiers. LILAC, which aims to fill the gap of Personal Protective Equipment shortages, was founded by 14-year-old Sabrina Guo of Oyster Bay Cove.

“Students like me enjoy the freedoms of this country,” Guo said. “LILAC is so grateful for our veterans and we are committed to continuing our efforts in this time of crisis.”

LILAC donated 3,500 pieces of PPE to the Northport VA Medical Center and Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legions around the North Shore