Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Village of Freeport and the William Clinton Story Post No. 342 of the American Legion held their annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at the Freeport Recreation Center.
Post Commander Eric Young noted that while organizers didn’t have an exact date, the American Legion has hosted the ceremony for more than 20 years.
This year’s honorees were long-time Post members Stephen Nicolino and Lincoln Parsons. Parsons, a Vietnam War veteran, served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan because of the sensitive nature of his intelligence officer training. He worked with the 500th Intelligence Group, supporting human intelligence operations.
Parsons later served more than 20 years with the New York Police Department before retiring in 2000. Many members credited him with introducing them to the Post, including current Post President Eric Young and Treasurer Coy Richardson, who recalled his familiar knock on the door to share the benefits of membership.
Fellow honoree Stephen Nicolino, 93, graduated from Freeport High School in 1950. He recalled sitting with his father and brothers—each of whom would eventually serve in the military—to decide which branch he would join.
While his family members entered the Army, Nicolino chose the U.S. Air Force to avoid being drafted, enlisting on the same day the Korean War began. Throughout his decades with Post 342, he chaired 10 Memorial Day parades and an equal number of Veterans Day observances. Nicolino was previously inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame by State Sen. Charles Fuschillo and received the Medal of Meritorious Service from the State of New York.
“I’d really like to recognize the Post on its anniversary,” said Village of Freeport Mayor Robert T. Kennedy, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of the Post. “The Post was started March 15, 1919. I’d like to recognize and thank all our veterans who are here today, especially our honorees Lincoln Parsons and Stephen Nicolino. I want to thank all our veterans who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.”
Elected officials and dignitaries in attendance included State Sen. Siela Bynoe, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, Nassau County Legislators Seth Koslow and Debra Mulé, and Freeport Trustees Evette B. Sanchez and Jacques S. Butler. Also present were Freeport Police Chief Michael Smith and Deputy Chief Joseph China.
More than 50 Freeport High School JROTC cadets and members of the school orchestra participated in the ceremony, performing a series of patriotic selections. Their renditions of military branch anthems—such as “Anchors Aweigh,” “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” “The U.S. Air Force,” “Marines’ Hymn,” and the Coast Guard’s “Semper Paratus”—brought many in attendance to their feet. During “Anchors Aweigh,” Mayor Kennedy stood at attention in recognition of his service in the Navy.
“We’d like to remember the men and women who set aside their civilian pursuit to serve this great nation,” said Post Commander Eric Young. “We recognize that the service to country doesn’t end with the termination of military service. We still work for world peace and for each of our brothers and sisters. Our determination makes us better warriors because we fought with our bodies and our minds. We continue our endeavors on behalf of freedom and peace, a noble cause.”
The ceremony concluded with the playing of “Taps” by a member of the Freeport High School Orchestra, as more than 200 attendees stood in solemn tribute.
“I would like to thank each and every one of our veterans for their service and for making the United States the greatest country to live in in the world,” Kennedy said.
“We’d also like to thank those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Their service has afforded you and I freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of education, freedom to vote, freedom to protest and, above all, equal rights.”
