Mangano Announces "Gold Star" Parents To Commemorate Fallen Heroes In Eisenhower Park On October 2

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano has announced that Eisenhower Park will host on Saturday, October 2, a gathering of “Gold Star” mothers, fathers and families and the general public to commemorate U.S. Armed Forces personnel from New York State who have died in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. The event will take place from 3 - 6 p.m. at the park’s Veterans Memorial.

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 first such 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.

“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,” says Mangano. “I encourage residents who wish to pay tribute to these fallen heroes and to express solidarity with these families to attend this event.”

“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, call Nancy Fuentes at 516-491-9156 or Emily Toro at 917-971-8748. In the event of rain, the program will be held on October 2 at 5 p.m. in Island Trees Memorial Middle School at 45 South Wantagh Avenue in Island Trees-Levittown.

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 or call 516-572-0200.