By Nicole Falco
More than 100 people gathered on the Village Green on April 25 for a troop rally hosted by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1790. They included parents, spouses, siblings, aunts, uncles and grandparents of men and women in the armed forces. Legionaires and members of the VFW came, as did their families and friends. Valley Stream Fire Department volunteers arrived in full dress, carrying with them an American flag that was proudly flown and illuminated throughout the one-hour ceremony.
The rally also brought out the community's elected officials, including Assemblyman Bob Barra, Valley Stream Mayor Edward Cahill, Village Trustees Joanne Antun, Guido Cirenza and Joseph Zabatta, County Legislator John Ciotti, Town Councilman James Darcy and Town Supervisor Kate Murray.
A group of young women, all friends, carried messages of love for the safe and speedy return of their husbands and boyfriends, all Marines stationed in Iraq. Fatima Bicca carried a picture of her husband, Lance Cpl. Pablo Bicca, 23; Katie Aguilar held the photo of her husband, Lance Cpl. Leo Aguilar, 21; Daniella Galvan was there for her husband, Lance Cpl. Brian Galvan, 25; and Gina Buonpane awaits the return of her boyfriend, Lance Cpl. Robert Cincotta, 21.
All who turned out for the troop rally wore yellow ribbons, waived miniature American flags and joined in the singing of "God Bless America," led by Stacey Feist-Peasley, daughter of Greg Feist, VFW commander.
"Valley Stream has always been a proud town with a long history of veterans," Feist said.
