Mangano Announces Gold Star Families Remembrance At Eisenhower Park

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano will join “Gold Star” mothers, fathers and families as they offer a “Remembrance of our Fallen Heroes” program at the Veterans Memorial in Eisenhower Park on Saturday, October 1st, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The ceremony, which will be open to the general public, will honor the memory of U.S. Armed Forces personnel from New York State who have died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It is a tremendous honor for the County to host this event, which allows us to reflect upon and honor the sacrifices made by our young men and women in combat, along with their families,” said County Executive Mangano. “I encourage residents who wish to pay tribute to these fallen heroes and to express solidarity with these families to attend this event.”

The Gold Star Mothers, organized after World War I and headquartered in Washington, D.C., operates as a support group for American women who have lost sons or daughters in war. The organization is not affiliated with the event in Eisenhower Park, however.

The event, which is the second annual commemoration on Long Island and is expected to draw visitors from throughout New York State, will include color and honor guards; guest speakers; music; a reading of names of those who have fallen and a 21-gun salute.

“We want to make sure that the sacrifices made by our sons and daughters – and their memories – are not forgotten,” says Levittown resident Nancy Fuentes, whose son, Spc. Daniel Fuentes, was killed in action on April 6, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq. “This event helps ensure that their memories will continue to live on.”

For more information about this event, please call Nancy Fuentes at (516) 491-9156; Emily Toro at (917) 971-8748, or the Nassau County Parks Events Office at (516) 572-0396.

Eisenhower Park is located in East Meadow with entrances on Hempstead Turnpike at East Meadow Avenue and at the intersection of Stewart and Merrick Avenues. For more information about the Parks Department, visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks.