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Also serving Babylon, Bay Shore, Copiague, Deer Park, Farmingdale, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Wyandanch
Obituary: Doug Lang of Lang’s Shoe Store
Local veterans honored
Kids on ‘how to cook a turkey’
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VOL. 75 NO. 48
NOVEMBER 20 - 26, 2025
$1.00
Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald
Babylon High School Marching Band is all smiles despite the chill.
Cold air, warm hearts: Babylon Village salutes its veterans By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com
Flurries danced through the morning air on one of the coldest days of the season—but in Babylon Village, the chill couldn’t keep people from honoring their veterans. Hosted by American Legion Post 94, the annual Veterans Day ceremony began with a parade that traveled along Deer Park Avenue and Main Street, returning to the legion hall where neighbors gathered for a solemn tribute. Among those in attendance was former U.S. Marine Rocco Parrella, who served in Vietnam. “Today is a great day for the veterans and for the people who appreciate the veterans,” Parrella said. “I think today is going to be fabulous and it makes
me feel very proud to be an American, that’s for sure.” Patrick Hopkins, who attended the parade with his nephew, said he comes each year to support those who served. “I came out to support the vets and wanted this experience for my nephew,” Hopkins said. Village and town leaders joined the ceremony, including Deputy Mayor Frank Seibert, Trustee Dominic Bencivenga, Trustee Anthony Cardali, newly appointed Trustee Jeff Szabo, and Mayor Mary Adams. At 11 a.m.—the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month— bells rang out, marking the moment the armistice was signed to end World War I. Peter J. Osterman sang the national anthem and “God Bless America.” The ceremony closed with a traditional Taps and a salute from
the honor guard firing squad. “Coming together for Veterans Day is an amazing occasion every single year because the people who have served in our armed forces have so much to give our country, even after they leave the service,” said Commander Robert Saenz of Post 94. “They are businessmen, community leaders, politicians and laypersons, and drive the nation forward every single day with their example and their morals gained by their experiences.” Mayor Mary Adams offered a stirring tribute to those who serve—and continue to serve. “Thank you to the American Legion Post 94 for our wonderful Veterans Day Parade and most important for honoring our veterans on this special day,” Adams said. “It is because
of the selfless service of our veterans that we have as a people all the many luxuries and freedoms that we enjoy every minute of the day... Because of our veterans, we have the freedom to choose our directions in life, state freely our opinions... and be able to enjoy a parade and other gatherings and other activities freely and openly.” She added, “The veterans of our country have afforded us these freedoms. They left their homes, their families behind so we could continue to enjoy ours.
We need to honor and thank our veterans not just today but every day.” Adams encouraged residents to support veteran causes and teach future generations to value their contributions. “May God bless our veterans and our troops,” she said in closing. “May He continue to bless the Village of Babylon and may He bless the United States of America.”
See more photos on page 12