Motorcycles and murals in Lynbrook

Village Recreation Director Pat McDermott, left, listens as Lazarus and Carol Ann Pagano say a few words to the crowd.

Courtesy Lynbrook Recreation Department

Carlos Varon/Herald

Dozens of children in the Recreation Department’s summer art program painted canvases in celebration of the village’s centennial. They were given certificates for their efforts.

Courtesy Lynbrook Recreation Department

Skyler Kessler/Herald

Al CIttadino of Baldwin helped to raise money for the “Support a Veteran” event.

Skyler Kessler/Herald

Black & Red members were among 200 motorcyclists who took part in the event.

Skyler Kessler/Herald

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Several dozen motorcyclists revved up their engines to raise money for the first annual Support a Veteran event in Lynbrook’s Greis Park on Sunday.

The event featured food, friends, and 200 motorcycles escorted by members of the Lynbrook and Rockville Centre police departments. There was also music from Street Survivor, a band that includes legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle, according to event organizer Fern Fladell of Rockville Centre. Attendees gathered to raise funds for the U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Club of Long Island, the Patriot Guard Riders, and 9-1-1 Veterans.

Fladell collaborated with Frankie Bania, president of the U.S. Veterans Club, to come up with the idea. Fladell’s father and stepfather fought in World War II, so the event was special for her. “I have an immense respect for all kids having to fight for our life to be free,” she said.

The duo approached the village about their idea, and enlisted the help of several local businesses and veterans’ groups. Dolphin Fitness in Rockville Centre and Cavalier & Associates came aboard as sponsors, and On Sight Catering in Suffolk County provided barbecue. It took eight months to plan the event, and the village was very helpful with the preparations, Fladell said, noting the support from village Recreation Department Director Pat McDermott and other community members. The three organizations raised $3,900, and plans are already in the works for another event next year.

A century’s worth of memories

Laughter and applause filled Greis Park. also on Sunday, as hundreds gathered for the dedication of two murals inspired by the village’s centennial and the Vietnam Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Memorial Monument in Washington, D.C., that came to Lynbrook in June.

Village artist Carol Ann Pagano unveiled her 3-foot-high by 18-foot-long mural in honor of the Moving Wall. The project was weeks in the making, noted Recreation Director Pat McDermott. McDermott and Joan Lazarus, the Recreation Department’s art teacher, thought the department building could use some new works of art. “We felt the Recreation Center needed some murals to honor our patriots,” McDermott said, “and to honor our village centennial.”