Mangano Honors Fallen Veterans at Remembrance Ceremony May 29, 2011
From left to right: Crew members of the U.S.S. New York; County Executive Edward P. Mangano; and United Veterans Organization President Joseph Slattery.
Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano attended the United Veterans Organization Remembrance Service held at Veterans Plaza in Eisenhower Park on May 29, 2011.
“At Gettysburg in November 1863, President Lincoln reflected upon the sacrifices of his soldiers: ‘From these honored dead, we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.’ This solemn day gives us an opportunity to reflect on this and remember the sacrifices made by generations of Americans on behalf of our great experiment in freedom and democracy. We stand in awe of their courage and selflessness,” said County Executive Mangano.
Commander Hipp and Supervisor Venditto
MASSAPEQUA PARKLET RE-DEDICATED IN HONOR OF LOCAL HERO…MARINE CORPORAL ALBERT F. KLESTINEC, JR.
Albert F. Klestinec, Jr., Corporal, United States Marines Corps, a Massapequa resident who was killed in the line of duty in Vietnam, had a parklet re-dedicated to his memory on Saturday, April 16, 2011. A ceremony was conducted at 9:30 a.m. at the parklet, which is located in a triangular parcel in Massapequa, between Broadway, Ohio Avenue and Franklin Avenue. Corporal Klestinec (A Co, 1st BN, 1st Marines, 1st MARDIV, III MAF) was mortally wounded in heavy fighting in the Quang Nam province of South Vietnam on July 10, 1966. He was an anti-tank assault man and was highly regarded by the men with whom he served. He was only 20 years of age when he laid down his life for his country.
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, who grew up and was friends with Albert Klestinec, presided over the re-dedication ceremony. “Albert embodied the highest ideals of America,” Supervisor Venditto said. “He paid the ultimate price serving his country. This parklet, in the community where he lived for many years, serves as a reminder to all residents of his sacrifice.”
As part of the ceremony, Massapequa American Legion Post 1066, other local veterans groups, the Chamber of Commerce of the Massapequas, local Scout troops and other organizations, joined together with Town of Oyster Bay officials and community residents and saluted Corporal Klestinec as a local hero. In 2008, the Chamber of Commerce of the Massapequas donated and erected a beautiful gazebo to become the focal point for information on veteran, chamber and other community matters. It has also provided an aesthetically pleasing venue for the public and a platform for events and ceremonies. “The entire community has taken pride in this well-known parklet, which stands as a permanent tribute to a young man who lived, played and went to school in Massapequa,” Supervisor Venditto said. “He played ball on our local fields and later died on the battlefield while defending this nation’s freedom.”
In addition to the parklet bearing his name, AMVET Memorial Post 88 in Massapequa is also named in his honor, along with Lt. Col. Robert V. McHale of the United States Air Force, who gave his life during the Korean War on December 23, 1952.
“Albert was an outstanding Marine who cared about this country, his friends, the community and everyone with who he came in contact,” Supervisor Venditto said. “This parklet re-dedication is the Town’s way of showing how much we cared about him.”
Veteran's Day Sunday, November 11, 2007 By: Sabrina Hafner
Veterans Day is a day dedicated to remembering the bravery of our U.S. Veterans and all the sacrificing that they have made for us. There were a couple of ceremonies being held between Massapequa and Massapequa Park. One ceremony was held at Brady Park and the other ceremony was held at the cross street of Broadway Avenue and Franklin Avenue. Many Veterans, Elected Officials, and Massapequans attended. Also, wreaths were left in dedication to our Veterans.
VFW Post 7763 Installation of Officers 2007 with Mayor Altadonna and Deputy Pinto, Original Photo by Edward T. Cox, Photographer
Pictured below, Erin and Adam Ropelewski after a one-year deployment in Iraq. Commander Jack Hipp and his board of officers presented Certificates and Medals of Appreciation for service in the U.S. Army to Lieutenants Erin Bates-Ropelewski and Adam Ropelewski. Erin, a Massapequan, is a Med-Evac Nurse and was attached to the 10th Combat Support Hospital Unit in Baghdad. Adam was attached to the 1-10 Cav in Falujah. In turn, Erin and Adam presented plaques to Post 1066 from those units for supporting them during their deployment. In attendance was family and invited guests, American Legion Post 1066, Massapequa Park VFW Post, Ancient Order of Hibernians Div 15, Paul Hastings of the Wounded Warrior Project, Massapequa Park Knights of Columbus, Detective Stephen McDonald, NYCPD, Members of Rescue 5 NYCFD, a number of returning veterans who served in Iraq with Erin and Adam.
The organizations present were invited because of their support to the units Erin and Adam were assigned to. Gift packs of foods, t-shirts, and various sundries that were needed by our troops were sent regularly to Iraq. The 10th Combat Support Hospital Unit was an "Adopted Battalion" by those organizations mentioned above.
Photos Courtesy of Bernard Hennelly Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Island Council 6911
Erin & Adam Ropelewski (c) with her Parents, Maryanne and John Bates
Erin Receives Roses from a Marine who lost a leg in Iraq, and she treated in Hospital
Erin & Adam Ropelewski become members of the American Legion
World War II - dedicated November 17, 1946. This memorial, now located in Brady Park, is in memory of five residents who made the supreme sacrifice in World War II. George Cashaw, Peter F. Colleran, Jr., William G. Hoffman, John R. Martin and Earle Williams all have Village Streets named in their honor.
Spanish American War - dedicated July 4, 1959. This memorial, located in the triangle formed by the intersection of Lakeshore Drive and Park Blvd., is dedicated to the memory of Claus Clausen, a veteran of the Spanish American War and holder of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Vietnam War - dedicated October 29, 1966. This memorial, located in the triangle formed by the intersection of Cartwright Blvd. and Abbey Street, is in memory of Sp/4 William Mansfield "Who gave his life in Vietnam for the freedom of all the people of the world." Mansfield Park, at Walker Street, also is named for this Vietnam War veteran.
Korean War - dedicated October 24, 1992. This memorial, located in the triangle formed by the intersection of Lakeshore Drive and Mayflower Ave., memorializes veterans of the Korean War.
Founding Families - dedicated October 7, 1989. This memorial, located in the triangle formed by the intersection of Clark Boulevard and Front Street, is in honor of all our founding families. It is called the Heerlein-Rumfield Memorial Park and is named after Lillian Dessart Heerlein and Charlotte Heerlein Rumfield, daughter and grand-daughter of Louis and Clara Dessart. Woodcastle Hotel, built by Louis and Clara ca 1870, stood on Front Street, fronting wooded land between First and Second, Clark and Front.
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