Keyword: 'World War II' | Herald Community Newspapers

The Herald interviewed Andrew Conlin in his Merrick home as he approached his 100th birthday in 2019. The longtime resident died at 101 on Feb. 7.

Longtime Merokean, storied World War II veteran, dies at 101

Andrew Conlin, a World War II veteran, former New York City police officer and longtime Merrick resident, died Feb. 7, at age 101. His maintained his jovial, fun-loving attitude into his later years, … more

By Andrew Garcia | 2/25/21

Mepham High school gave 95-year-old James Graziano a diploma and a cap and gown.

World War II veteran from North Bellmore dons cap and gown at 95

For North Bellmore native James “Jimmy” Graziano, receiving his high school diploma was better late than never. It was a surprise, in fact, for his 95th birthday. Graziano was on … more

By Andrew Garcia | 1/28/21

Alan Nemser, a 66-year Merrick resident, died on June 10 at the age of 106. He is pictured here at his 100th birthday celebration, with his daughter Erica Nemser-Crowley, enjoying a bloody Mary.

Merokean Alan Nemser, who served in World War II, dies at 106

Alan Nemser, who served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and spent decades practicing law, “made everyone feel comfortable in his presence,” his daughter, Kathy Nemser, said. … more

By Alyssa Seidman | 7/8/20

Andrew Conlin, of North Merrick, practices the accordion regularly, even at (almost) 100.

North Merokean set to mark his centennial

Interjecting his tales with high-spirited “Bops!” and “Zows!” and bouncing in his armchair, Andrew Conlin was clearly still full of life. His memory was sharp, packed with details of his New York childhood, his service in World War II and his career as a New York City police officer. Conlin even picked up and played his hefty accordion, despite nearing his 100th birthday. more

By Andrew Garcia | 8/1/19

In times of trouble, FDR comes to me

I made a pilgrimage in August to a shining house on a hill surrounded by lush forests. Below was a valley where apple trees grew in neat rows. In the distance was a wide river. This place, this magical place, was an oasis of calm, a landscape perfectly suited for introspection. more

9/14/17

We can all do more to support veterans

For anyone who has not served in combat, it’s impossible to understand the horrors of war. We can try to imagine them, however. We can imagine . . . more

11/10/16

Bernard Otterman and his son, Michael, both former Merokeans, are working on a project to bring educators from across the Middle East to Hiroshima, Japan, to raise awareness of the dangers of nuclear war.

War and peace: searching for a nuclear-free world

Fears of another terrorist attack are running high after a series of ruthless strikes in Western Europe and the United States over the past year, perpetrated with semiautomatic rifles and suicide vests. The gravest threat to humanity, however, remains nuclear arms, according to Holocaust survivor Bernard Otterman, 79, formerly of Merrick. It has been so since World War II, he noted. more

By Scott Brinton | 7/19/16

Marion Blumenthal Lazan gave Levy-Lakeside Elementary School sixth-graders a first-hand account of the Holocaust.

Holocaust survivor recalls horrors, speaks with students

Sixth-graders at Levy-Lakeside Elementary School in Merrick listened closely as Marion Blumenthal Lazan slowly told the story of her childhood years in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. The students looked up at her with curiosity as she softly spoke, her words lingering. more

By Stephany Reyes | 3/23/16

Frank DePergola, 92, of North Merrick, landed at Utah Beach, in Normandy, shortly after the D-Day invasion, and fought his way to Germany. He earned a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, a Good Conduct Medal and a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

Merokean recalls capturing Nazis, freeing prisoners of war from Germany

Nazi fighter planes suddenly swooped in, strafing the ground with machine-gun fire, as U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Frank DePergola raced a Jeep through a forest in Luxembourg as the end of World War II approached, with a lieutenant in the passenger seat. more

By Scott Brinton | 1/20/16

World War II veteran Charlie Chapman, seated, third from left, recently flew with a group of his fellow vets to visit the National World War II Memorial. The non-profit Honor Flight organization sponsored the trip.

Veteran takes flight of honor

When Merokean Jean Petter recently drove to Charlie Chapman’s Bellmore home, she felt like she was picking up the president of the United States. She arrived at the house at 5 a.m., flanked by 10 motorcyclists, for the first leg of an exciting journey to the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. more

By Julie Mansmann | 11/27/15