Creating a ‘tribute to their sacrifice’

A small triangle of land in Hewlett, where Broadway, West Broadway and Harris Avenue intersect, is being transformed by several local organizations and businesses into a memorial for military veterans.

The Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association, Father Farrell Knights of Columbus Council 5962, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hewlett, the Kiwanis Club of the Five Towns, Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion Post 339, Dodds and Eder in Oyster Bay, Bocci Landscaping in Woodmere and New York American Water are helping to create the Hewlett Veterans Memorial Plaza.

“We had the Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting community celebrations in 2014 and 2015 [at the site],” said David Friedman, president of the HWBA. “Our future plans are to continue the holiday celebrations and have a community dedication ceremony once the plaza is completed, and hold Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies there.” The HWBA has helped organize the Hewlett-Woodmere Memorial Day parade since the event was revived in 2013.

A committee consisting of Friedman, John Roblin, Richard Valenti and Loretta Camarda from the business group; Oliver Giannoti of the Knights of Columbus; and Kiwanis President Tom Cohen helped get the project under way.

What exactly will be installed on the site is still being discussed, according to Syd Mandelbaum, commander of American Legion Post 339. “We are definitely in favor of putting up a veterans memorial, but before we go forward, we want to touch base with other groups, and want to make it completely inclusive,” said Mandelbaum, who is being assisted by fellow post member Al Landi.

Mandelbaum, a Vietnam-era medic who has treated disabled service members at veterans hospitals, said that either a plaque or a monument would be installed that would honor American veterans who fought in every war in which U.S. soldiers served. “It will be tasteful, something that everyone will be proud of, because, really, this is what this is for,” he said.