North Hempstead, NY – The Town of North Hempstead is holding a memorial service to mark the 75th anniversary of the crash of a North American B-25A Bomber on January 1, 1942, which claimed the lives of five heroic servicemen. When one of the plane’s engines failed within minutes of take-off from Mitchel Field, the pilot veered the plane away from homes in New Hyde Park and into a sandpit. The plane, which was heavily laden with bombs, exploded on impact killing all five young servicemen aboard. The pilot, Charles Van Eewen, was later awarded a posthumous Distinguished Service Medal for avoiding hitting houses during the crash.

The Town will be holding an indoor ceremony at Michael J. Tully Park, as well as re-dedicating the monument outside the park which honors the five army fliers. Local veterans will pay tribute with a gun salute and the laying of a wreath in memoriam.

Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Michael J. Tully Park, 1801 Evergreen Avenue, New Hyde Park.