Veterans said that they are angry. “I think the county administrative system is broken,” said Thomas Garvey, a disabled Vietnam War veteran and Merrick resident. “For them first to come out and direct the school districts to one date and then turn around and say ‘you missed the date’ is absurd and ridiculous.”

James O’Neill, another disabled Vietnam veteran and second vice commander of the Merrick American Legion Post 1282, said he believes veterans have “earned” the tax break.

“We’re talking about World War II veterans who are in their 90s … this would really come in handy for them, even if it’s a few bucks. It would pay a bill,” O’Neill said. “I think that’s how most of the veterans feel about it.”

O’Neill also said he would like to see the county alter its decision. “I hope [County Executive Ed] Mangano can understand that maybe there’s something that he can do to in order to help resolve the situation,” O’Neill said.

As he discussed his view that elected officials have not always done right by the country’s veterans, painful wartime memories came to mind for O’Neill.

“I lost some good buddies,” O’Neill said, choking up. “I just feel that they’re being forgotten, and I just don’t think that’s right.”