FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2012
MEDIA CONTACTS: Collin Nash & Sid Nathan | (516) 869-7794
Thousands Attend Town’s Fireworks Extravaganza Honoring Fallen Troops
Port Washington, NY– Just as North Hempstead’s annual Memorial Day fireworks extravaganza commemorating our fallen troops was about to kick off, dark, ominous clouds accompanied by brisk winds, descended over the area.
Bracing for a washout of the May 26 event, the crowd of 15,000 gathered at North Hempstead Beach Park breathed a collective sigh of relief as the sun subdued the clouds. Supervisor Jon Kaiman called the outcome “a fitting metaphor” for the price our military’s men and women paid to keep America in freedom’s light.
“We come here this evening a community of family, friends and acquaintances spending time together,” Supervisor Kaiman said. “But we are not here to celebrate. We are here to commemorate the lives of our men and women in the armed forces who died protecting our freedom.”
In his welcoming remarks, Supervisor Kaiman read the names of each member of the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, 2nd battalion, 25th Regiment, after they advanced the colors. Raising the curtain to the Supervisor’s official greetings, Stephanie DeNicola, Samantha Mannarino and Julia Moran, three girl scouts from the Carle Place troop #3086, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Great Neck South High School students, Steven Telsey, Karen Notovitz, Ashley Gould, Justin Kelly and Diana Charlop, then sang the National Anthem a cappella.
A cadre of elected officials, including Town Board members Angelo Ferrara, Anna Kaplan, Viviana Russell and Tom Dwyer, as well as Town Clerk Leslie Gross, shared the stage with Supervisor Kaiman, who declared a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers.
“Because of them,” Councilwoman Anna Kaplan said referring to our lost veterans and those presently serving, “we have so much to be thankful for. Based on what they did we are able to live in this wonderful country.”
A North Hempstead tradition since the mid 1980’s, the spectacular fireworks launched at dusk from barges in the harbor dazzled onlookers as barrage after barrage of rockets, choreographed to a medley of US military music, exploded across the night sky.
“The impressive pyrotechnic show is always a compelling reason to join the thousands attending the Memorial Day Commemoration each year”, said Shari Davoudi, who was with her friend Janis of Little Neck. However, she said that all the years she’s been coming, those who died defending America have always been on the top of her mind.
“I love the fireworks, the crowds, and the bands,” Davoudi said, referring to this year’s musical lineup consisting of Beginnings and Early Elton. “But it’s really great that the Town does this in honor of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for America. More towns should follow their example.”
The evening’s breath-taking pyrotechnics featured a display provided by Bay Fireworks.