Bellmore remembers its veterans

Bellmore and North Bellmore community members gathered on Monday for a solemn tradition paying tribute to local veterans.

For roughly 45 minutes, participants gathered at the World War I monument to lay wreaths. Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Vincent Montera — who is retiring this year after nine years in the position — led the ceremony. Montera said that all those who gave their lives in war did so to maintain American freedoms, and that the crowd gathered would likely not be holding the Memorial Day ceremony if not for veterans’ sacrifices.

America’s war heroes were “ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” Montera said.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2770, American Legion Post 1749, American Legion Post 948, the Vietnam War Veterans Association and marching bands from Kennedy and Mepham high schools, as well as Newbridge Road and Martin Avenue elementary schools participated. Also, the New York Police Department band, the Bellmore and North Bellmore fire departments and the Boy and Girl Scouts took part.