Thursday, October 1, 2026
Elected officials, first responders, religious leaders, and Sea Cliff residents came together to honor the United States’ veterans in observation of Memorial Day. The ceremony, held on the village green outside Village Hall on Monday, replaced the parade that was cancelled due to inclement weather.
James F. Brengel American Legion Post 456 Commander Phil Como opened the ceremony and introduced multiple speakers including elected officials, religious leaders, and students.
U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi spoke briefly and presented a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol in honor of Sea Cliff.
“Our country is founded on freedom and democracy,” Suozzi said. “That’s politics. So, if we really want to honor our veterans, we have to all work together to try to uplift the conversation in this country and get people to start talking to each other again.”
Como shared stories to honor several veterans and first responders, including Jim O’Donnell, former chief of Sea Cliff Fire Department, and Roger Joseph Bachman, a friend of Como’s who was killed in combat.
“We want to use the phrase ‘ultimate sacrifice’,” Como said. “I thought I would provide context. To me, Memorial Day is a serious piece of business.”
The Rev. Jae Hyun Kim, of the United Methodist Church of Sea Cliff, and The Rev. Jesse Lebus, of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, each led attendees in prayer. Students from Sea Cliff Elementary School read essays on the history of Memorial Day, and one North Shore Middle School student played Echo Taps with middle school band teacher Justin Wheeler.
Village Administrator Bruce Kennedy lowered the flag in the village green to half-staff. Mayor Elena Villafane also spoke to commemorate the holiday.
“We are reminded, especially today,” she said, “that the United States, its freedom, its institutions, its opportunities, have been formed and sustained not through words and promises, but through sacrifice.”
The ceremony was closed with a singing of God Bless America.
