Memorial Marker In Dix Hills Dedicated To Gold Star Families

DIX HILLS, NY — A Gold Star Families Memorial Marker was unveiled at a dedication ceremony on Saturday at Dix Hills Park in Dix Hills, Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth and the Dix Hills Garden Club announced.

The marker, "HONOR – HOPE – HEALING," was designed to remember fallen heroes from the Town of Huntington who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. The memorial was designed and donated by Mike Sipala II and Mike Sipala III of Sipala Landscaping, Inc. of Dix Hills.

Huntington elected officials, members of the Dix Hills Garden Club, Veterans and friends unveiled the marker to mothers and family members of fallen service men from Huntington.

In attendance were family members of:

• U.S. Coast Guard II Eric Nathan Bruckenthal, Northern Persian Gulf.
• 1st Lt. Nicholas Manganiello, U.S. Marine Corp.
• Army Specialist Anthony L. Mangano, KIA 6/21/08, Iraq.
• U.S. Marine Christopher G. Scherer, KIA 7/21/09.

"By remembering and honoring Gold Star families, we are acknowledging the courage and resilience of those who have lost loved ones in service to our country," Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth said in a news release. "Recently I learned recently that Gold Star Mothers and Families Day is nationally recognized on the last Sunday in September. In the Town of Huntington, we want everyone to know that we honor our Gold Star Families and all our Veterans and Military every day and we ask that God bless them and keep them always. For those we lost in service to our Country, we are forever grateful."

Garden clubs have a long history supporting veterans and their families.

Beginning with World War II, the Garden Clubs of America started the Blue Star Memorial Highway Project: a nationwide effort to honor World War II veterans and later, all service members. They planted trees and installed memorial markers along highways to acknowledge the sacrifices of those in the military. The Blue Star Memorial Highway project also contributed to civic beautification by creating green spaces and promoting a sense of community.

"The Town of Huntington applauds the Dix Hills Garden Club for their vision and historic observation in putting this Gold Star Families Marker Dedication together," Smyth said. "This is an incredible slice of history and we applaud the Dix Hills Garden Club for their commitment to this legacy and especially to our Gold Star Families and our Veterans."

For additional event information, people may contact Nancy Binger or Joan Enright, co-presidents of the Dix Hills Garden Club, at dhgardenclub@gmail.com.