County hosts socially distant Memorial Day ceremony

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Roughly 200 cars drove through Eisenhower Park in East Meadow on May 25 during the annual Nassau County Memorial Day ceremony.

To abide by social distancing guidelines set by the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s event featured the car parade that led to the park’s Veterans Memorial. There, County Executive Laura Curran joined with the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency and local veterans’ groups for a ceremonial wreath laying in honor of those who lost their lives fighting for America. In addition to recognizing Memorial Day, Curran also took the opportunity to pay homage to the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II.

“While we were not able to hold a traditional ceremony this year, we must not let Memorial Day be forgotten,” Curran said. “It is important for us to properly salute and reflect on those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our precious freedoms.”

The procession began at Nassau Coliseum and led to Eisenhower Park, where Curran hosted a ceremony that featured a wreath laying, gun salute, Taps, a bagpiper from the Nassau County Police Department Pipe and Drum Band and a flag arch created by the Westbury and East Meadow fire departments.

Nassau County veterans involved in the ceremony included Commanders from Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legions as well as members from Vietnam War Veterans Association, AmVets and United Veterans Organization of Nassau County, Disabled American Veterans, among many others. Vehicles from the Museum of American Armor were also on display.

Joining Curran in her salute was Congressman Peter King, State Senator Kevin Thomas, State Senator Jim Gaughran, Glen Cove Mayor Tim Tenke and Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.