By Wendy Elkis Girnis, Class of '77
November 11th is Veterans Day. On that day, we honor all military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Interestingly enough, if you ask someone to describe a veteran, chances are they will describe someone who is male. Just recently, I attended my husband’s college reunion and was reminded that it isn’t only men who serve, but women too. His Niagara University graduating class had many of their female nursing students serve in the Vietnam War. Then I read the book, “The Women” by Kristen Hannah. All of that got me thinking about our women veterans, especially the nurses.
Click here to continue reading Angels of the Battlefield- Military Nurses
by Arthur Mayer
(husband of Gail Schwartzman Mayer, Class of 1973)
A few weeks before our annual Hicksville Memorial Day Parade, I attended one of the high school’s concerts, which included our daughter’s final performance, as she is a graduating senior. In our school’s lobby, encased behind glass, is a simple tribute to Kevin T. Kolm, USMC, a son of Hicksville killed while serving his country in Iraq in 2004. While I have viewed this window many times, because it was May and Memorial Day would be fast approaching, I began to think about how much the town of Hicksville and, particularly, our Hicksville schools, have held fast to its commitment to honor and pay tribute to those who have died in service to our country. To gain a deeper appreciation for how our town embraces the effort to “Always Remember” the ultimate sacrifices made by its young people, I decided that a visit to our Memorial Garden, adjacent to Hicksville Middle School, before Memorial Day was essential. I visited on a quiet day when I could get up close to the plaques and monuments.
Memorial Day Memories
Editors' Note: Registered members of Hixnews.com were asked for their memories of Memorial Day. Do you have any special Memorial Day traditions?
Is there anyone special you usually commemorate? Did you lose any friends or family members who served in the armed forces? Tell us about them.
Where and when did they serve? What follows are those cherished memories.
A Tour of Hicksville's Veterans' Park
Submitted by John Maniec, HHS Class of 1964
Editors' Note: John Maniec recently returned to Hicksville and created this narrated video of the Veterans' Park. It is located at the site of the former high school/junior high school and now middle school on Jerusalem Avenue. Thank you, John, for sharing these memorials with those of us who now live far from Hicksville.
Don't Let Them Die Twice
Submitted by John Maniec, Class of 1964
Next June 2024, God-willing, I will experience a significant milestone in my life. It will be 60 years since I graduated with my Hicksville High School Class of 1964.
The following was republished from the August 2022 article.
Hicksville Vietnam War Era Memorial Dedication Ceremony
Overview By John Tranchina - HHS 1964
Memorial Day 2022 - It was though a burden was lifted from the community after months of isolation from friends, neighbors and family, as a result of Covid restrictions. As dawn emerged the eastern sky was a clear light blue.
Spectators and participants gathered on the lawn of the Middle School to pay tribute to those who fell in combat over past and recent years. The various monuments at the Memorial Garden represent not only the fallen but past residents of the community who served this country in times of conflict.
Click here to continue reading October 2022: Volume 23 - Issue 1
Submitted by Kathy McDonald Corey
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
Click here to continue reading January 2017: Volume 17 - Issue 4
A chaplain, who happened to be assigned to the Pentagon, told of an incident that happened right after Flight 77 hit the Pentagon on 9/11. A daycare facility inside the Pentagon had many children, including infants who were in heavy cribs. The daycare supervisor, looking at all the children they needed to evacuate, was in a panic over what they could do. There were many children, mostly toddlers, as well as the infants that would need to be taken out with the cribs. There was no time to try to bundle them into carriers and strollers.
Click here to continue reading October 2016: Volume 17 - Issue 1
Hi Bob,
Attached are some letters that have accompanied some donations to the Hicksville Vietnam Era Veterans memorial. Donations continue to be received, slow, but steady.
Also, the Hicksville Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 25. It will step off at 9:00am from the Sears south parking lot and end at the Middle School (our junior high) on Jerusalem Avenue. This year's Grand Marshal is Hicksville VFW Commander William Walden, Hicksville High '65. As Memorial Day approaches, please keep our servicemen and servicewomen in your prayers.
Semper Fi
Click here to continue reading May 2015: Volume 15 - Issue 8
JAN SCRUGGS
Founder and President
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
In 1979, Jan Scruggs conceived the idea of building the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington , D.C. , as a tribute to all who served during one of the longest wars in American history. Today, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is among the most visited memorials in the nation's capital.
Scruggs was a wounded and decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade of the U.S. Army. He felt a memorial would serve as a healing device for a different kind of wound that inflicted on our national psyche by the long and controversial Asian war.
Click here to continue reading March 2015: Volume 15 - Issue 6
The fifth San Antonio class amphibious transport dock, is the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named after the state of New York. New York has a crew of 360 and can carry up to 700 Marines. It's a warship designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists and terrorism!!!
Click here to continue reading December 2014: Volume 15 - Issue 3
Click here to continue reading May 2014: Volume 14 - Issue 8
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. "Your son is here," she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused.
Click here to continue reading April 2014: Volume 14 - Issue 7
Joe Carfora
As we face a new year, I recall visiting with three old friends, a few years back, at a park in the nation's capital. It seems like only yesterday that we were all together, but actually it has been 42 years. There was a crowd at the park that day, and it took us a while to connect, but with the aid of a book we made it. I found Harry, Bruce and Paul. In 1970-72 we were gung-ho young fighter pilots on America and Constellation off Vietnam, the cream of the crop of the U.S. Navy, flying F-4J Phantoms. Now their names are on that 500-foot-long Vietnam War Memorial.
Click here to continue reading February 2014: Volume 14 - Issue 5
By James Webb
The rapidly disappearing cohort of Americans that endured the Great Depression and then fought World War II is receiving quite a send-off from the leading lights of the so-called 60s generation. Tom Brokaw has published two oral histories of "The Greatest Generation" that feature ordinary people doing their duty and suggest that such conduct was historically unique.
Click here to continue reading December 2013: Volume 14 - Issue 3
He was getting old and paunchy,
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he once fought in,
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies,
They were heroes, every one.
Click here to continue reading June 2013: Volume 13 - Issue 9
You may have already known of this, but I sure didn't.
In spite of watching film about WW II and the European theater, I never thought to wonder how all the military vehicles were supplied with fuel.
They sure couldn't just stop at the corner station and fill up their vehicle, tank or jeep or car. I found this film fascinating.
Joe Carfora 1962
When visitors first enter the museum, they will hear a sound like wind chimes coming from above them and their attention will be drawn upward 24 feet to the ceiling of the two-story high atrium.
Click here to continue reading February 2013: Volume 13 - Issue 5
Although now 79 years of age, he began creating his first boat in 1948, when he was only 17. He uses a razor blade, tweezers and sandpaper to carve the pieces and boxes, then sticks his completed product together with balsa wood glue. In total. more than 650,000 matchsticks were used to create an amazing collection of 1,300 scale models. Even 1,200 aircraft made even more realistic appearance to dress the decks of aircraft carriers
Click here to continue reading March 2012: Volume 12 - Issue 6
Phil Warren from the UK spent 62 years to build this incredible fleet of 432 ships. All vessels are built entirely of matchsticks and boxes of wooden matches. The collection includes nearly 370 American and 60 British ships.
Although now 79 years of age, he began creating his first boat in 1948, when he was only 17. He uses a razor blade, tweezers and sandpaper to carve the pieces and boxes, then sticks his completed product together with balsa wood glue. In total. more than 650,000 matchsticks were used to create an amazing collection of 1,300 scale models. Even 1,200 aircraft made even more realistic appearance to dress the decks of aircraft carriers
Click here to continue reading February 2012: Volume 12 - Issue 5
Joseph Ingino received the Veterans Distinguished Service Award given by Nassau County 's Executive Ed Mangano & Director of Veterans Services Joe Pascarella.
Click here to continue reading January 2012: Volume 12 - Issue 4
Note the mission paintings on the fuselage, it's actually over 250 missions. (And I would suppose 25 air medals.)
Click here to continue reading November 2011: Volume 12 - Issue 2
Click here to continue reading October 2011: Volume 12 - Issue 1
Click here to continue reading July 2011: Volume 11 - Issue 10
Click here to continue reading June 2011: Volume 11 - Issue 9
This was written by a Chaplain serving in Iraq :
For those who are unaware, the National Anthem is played at all military base theaters before the movie begins.
Click here to continue reading May 2011: Volume 11 - Issue 8
I just got this e-mail from an Ol' Marine V.N. Vet that I served with!
Click here to continue reading April 2011: Volume 11 - Issue 7
Was an air attack by bombers of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) on nine oil refineries around Ploieşti , Romania on 1 August 1943, during WWII.. It was a strategic bombing mission and part of the 'oil campaign' to deny petroleum based fuel to the Axis. The mission resulted in "no curtailment of overall product output", and so was unsuccessful.
Click here to continue reading March 2011: Volume 11 - Issue 6
Lindsay Lohan, 24, and Paris Hilton got their names and faces all over the news because they went to jail for a few short weeks or days for acting out, negative behavior, resisting arrest, cocaine possession, being drunk and disorderly, not to mention their insolent attitude.
What do you know about these men?
Click here to continue reading February 2011: Volume 11 - Issue 5
The first and last pictures were taken at the beach in Santa Barbara adjacent to the pier. There is a veterans group that started putting a cross and candle for every military person killed in Iraq and Afghanistan . The amazing thing is that the group only does this on weekends. They put up this simulated graveyard Friday and take it down Sunday evening. Guys sleep in the sand next to the pier to keep watch at night so nobody can destroy their graveyard. Every cross has the name, rank, Date of Birth and Date of Death of someone who has passed.
Click here to continue reading January 2011: Volume 11 - Issue 4
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."
- John F. Kennedy
Click here to continue reading August 2010: Volume 10 - Issue 11
Click here to continue reading July 2010: Volume 10 - Issue 10
Yesterday, we remembered those who gave their lives for our country. The sacrifice they made guarantees our freedom, something we often take for granted. I hope all our alumni had a safe Memorial Day and pray for many more. One sight that needs no explanation is the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima . The below story is a reminder about one of the deadliest battles in the history of WWII with some personal touches..
Click here to continue reading June 2010: Volume 10 - Issue 9
A nurse took the tired and very anxious serviceman to the bedside.
"Your son is here," she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand.
Click here to continue reading May 2010: Volume 10 - Issue 8
Folks -
It seems we, who are still on Long Island, had our April showers in March this year. We had the snowiest February and rainiest March on record. On to April and a few dates not to be forgotten.
04/03 - Marshall Plan Anniversary (1948)
04/06 - US Entered WWI (1917)
04/09 - Former POW Recognition Day
04/10 - Bataan Death March (1942)
04/14 - PVA established (1947)
04/17 - Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)
Click here to continue reading April 2010: Volume 10 - Issue 7
As 60 Minutes on Sunday January 3, 2010 showed us: "Two Wars Are Slowing The Large Bureaucracy, Delaying Benefits." What follows below is the text of their video.
Delay, Deny and Hope That I Die
Two wars and a recession have significantly increased the claims handled by the U.S. Dept. of Veteran's Affairs, slowing the large bureaucracy and frustrating many veterans.
Click here to continue reading February 2010: Volume 10 - Issue 5
Click here to continue reading January 2010: Volume 10 - Issue 4
By Katie Schmidt
This Thanksgiving, my father will open his electric garage door on the ground floor of my parents' split-level home and ride his motorized wheelchair up the ramp in the backyard and into the second-floor dining room, where he will join us at the table.
Without the health care he receives from the VA, or Veterans Health Administration, there would be no wheelchair, no garage door, no wheelchair ramp and no Thanksgiving dinner with family around the table.
Click here to continue reading December 2009: Volume 10 - Issue 3
Secretary of Veterans Affairs establishes service connection in association with Agent Orange
VA Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of Public Affairs
Media Relations
Washington, DC 20420
(202) 461-7600
www.va.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 13, 2009
VA Extends "Agent Orange" Benefits to More Veterans - Parkinson's Disease, Two Other Illnesses Recognized
Click here to continue reading November 2009: Volume 10 - Issue 2
Several articles and some facts.
Lest We Forget: Currently there are (at least) 5,519 Veterans of Modern Warfare who no longer will be "asking" our government for another dime . . . Iraq 4,335; Afghanistan 802, and; Kuwait 382.
Eight Health Care Falsehoods: Not Just For Veterans
Click here to continue reading September 2009: Volume 9 - Issue 12
Three veteran tales that have recently been making the rounds, two of which fall in the 'SSDD' category; I'll let you decide which two.
Gulf War Illness: Still Not According To The VA
Thanks to Scott Parks of The Dallas Morning Star, The Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Larry Scott of VA Watch Dog Dot Com, we once again learn what is, unfortunately, still the case.
Click here to continue reading August 2009: Volume 9 - Issue 11
"The [fourth] day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more." -- John Adams
Click here to continue reading July 2009: Volume 9 - Issue 10
Annual Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance
At 7:00 p.m. (EDT) on Flag Day, June 14, Americans all across the nation will pause to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag. While most of us know the words of the Pledge, there are a large number who do not know of its origin.
Click here to continue reading June 2009: Volume 9 - Issue 9
This month, once again one topic, no distractions, another story that must never be forgotten.
Posted on behalf of Joe Ingino, President of Vietnam Veterans of America, Nassau County Chapter 82
Click here to continue reading April 2009: Volume 9 - Issue 7
There is a time for words; there is a time for a few words only, and; there is a time for pictures.
Click here to continue reading March 2009: Volume 9 - Issue 6
And a Happy Valentine's Day for all of us!
--- Regards, Walt
From El Paso Wise Words: The Local Paper's Staff Comment
So much is written across our country that while a worthy read, goes unnoticed. And when the staff of a local newspaper feel strongly enough about a veterans issue that they author an op-ed piece (and I find it) I just have to share.
Click here to continue reading February 2009: Volume 9 - Issue 5
And for you, may the worst of 2009 be better than your best from 2008!
Eric Ken Shinseki: Nominee For 7th United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
A short introduction to a man who just might help the veterans' community, with info thanks to President-elect Barack Obama's website Change Dot Gov and Wikipedia.
Click here to continue reading January 2009: Volume 9 - Issue 4
Click here to continue reading December 2008: Volume 9 - Issue 3
These are tough times. They require tough decisions. Decisions made with a tough but fair hand... a tough, but fair hand.
They Need Our Help
National League Of Families Of American Prisoners And Missing In Southeast Asia
1005 North Glebe Road, Suite 170, Arlington, Virginia 22201
PH (703) 465-7432 http://www.powmialeague.org/ FAX (703) 465-7433
Click here to continue reading November 2008: Volume 9 - Issue 2
Vietnam Era Music
Top Ten Hits from each year of the war
http://www.ichiban1.org/html/music.htm
On October 13, the U.S. Navy was established (1775), on the 29th the Internet was created (1969), and a favorite holiday of mine falls on the 31st, Halloween.
----------------
A Rose By Any Other Name...: Can You Spell P.R.I.V.A.T.I.Z.E?
Click here to continue reading October 2008: Volume 9 - Issue 1
And a good three-day weekend to all. As was said: "Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country. All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day... is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation." --- Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor, 1898
--- Regards, Walt
Click here to continue reading September 2008: Volume 8 - Issue 12
Click here to continue reading August 2008: Volume 8 - Issue 11
Over the last several weeks, our Congress has once again taken a giant step... in a direction I wish they had not gone. On the 12th of June the Senate fell 6 vote short, while on June 26, by a mere two votes legislation that would have prevented a potential Medicare disaster was stalled in the Senate. What is realized by almost everyone that what is harmful to Medicare is harmful to our seniors. What very few people realize is that it is also harmful to our active duty service members and those who have retired from military service - more on that below. One side point. I realize that "cuts in payments" do not directly come out of the pockets of our seniors. However, if these cuts result in physicians not taking on Medicare patients, isn't the results just that. It will cost our seniors; it will come out of their pockets.
Click here to continue reading July 2008: Volume 8 - Issue 10
Click here to continue reading June 2008: Volume 8 - Issue 9
From my point of view, the "Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall," a traveling, three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, is as close to being in 'Washington, D.C. as you can get without actually going there.
HixNews Hall of Fame Nominee Joe Ingino, class of '67, who is an integral part of planning for the June 6 weekend's events, would like to see one of those events be a reunion of those of us from Hicksville who served, friends and family - any era, any branch, but especially Vietnam. As to the overall event...
Click here to continue reading April 2008: Volume 8 - Issue 7
Time is a fleeting resource, we are told, and it would seem 2008 is very fleet on its toes as the months have seemingly gone into hyper-drive and March is here. As the title suggests your Vietnam Memorial Development Team (VMDT) hopes the pace of collecting names, service affiliation, and area of assigned duty will pick up so we can report 250 names reached by June. We are getting close, yet need help from all sources to put us over the top and achieve our milestone.
Click here to continue reading March 2008: Volume 8 - Issue 6
I am sending this to all of you to remember our brothers and sisters who have died; or are sick from Agent Orange.
Joe Ingino, 67
http://www.agentorangequiltoftears.com/Videos.html
After seeing the video, editor Bob Casale wrote:
"I lost a friend in 1979...Mike Goldsmith...from complications concerning Agent Orange.
Mike was Steve's brother...who ran the class reunion last year."
Click here to continue reading February 2008: Volume 8 - Issue 5
In this ongoing series we introduce some specific answers to general questions often asked and just as often misunderstood. This month we'll look at VA Health Care Benefits. Over the next months we'll look at other areas including: Other Federal Benefits, Counseling & Support, Housing, Education, Employment, Burial Benefits, and General Assistance & Advocacy.
Click here to continue reading January 2008: Volume 8 - Issue 4
I thought I would give you an update on Michael's Race For Heroes. First I would like to thank all of you for the most generous support for both of the charities Michael is running for in Philadelphia. The money will go a long way in helping some of the world's best citizens get back on their feet and bring awareness to their great sacrifices. Michael is trying to break 3 hours and 10 minutes and from the picture below, the hills will help him achieve just that. Once again a BIG THANK YOU and I'll keep you posted on the Race results.
Here's a recent ABC news story about Michael click here.
Click here to continue reading December 2007: Volume 8 - Issue 3
Week of October 22, 2007Golden Corral Restaurants are conducting their seventh annual Military Appreciation Monday on Nov. 12, 2007. On this day, all 485 restaurants across the country will offer a free "thank you" dinner buffet and beverage from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to any person who has served in the U.S. military. A new component of this year's event is an essay contest open to anyone who has served or has a parent who has served in the military. Essays of 1,000 words or less should explain why the entrant is proud of their service or that of their parents. Three prizes, starting at $1,000, will be awarded to further the winners' educations. For more information, visit the Golden Corral Restaurants website.
Note that the validity of this offer has been checked with Golden Corral by Hixnews editors.
Click here to continue reading November 2007: Volume 8 - Issue 2
The purpose of this update is to let you know where the project stands and how we are fairing, getting the many names of those that have served, which turns out to probably be the long pole of this undertaking. As of September 1st, we have about 100 names for the honor roll; all the KIA have been accounted for and backed up by a second source. We are receiving about six names a month to add to the list and this is moving in the right direction; perhaps class reunions this fall will help add to the list.Please keep those cards and letters coming, we will add them to the list of names.
Click here to continue reading October 2007: Volume 8 - Issue 1
Click here to continue reading September 2007: Volume 7 - Issue 12
Jim and I (John) were both in the service during the Viet Nam War. I was in the USAF and Jim was in the ARMY. I enlisted in the USAF in 1961 and Jim was drafted in 1962.
I was an in-flight mechanic, after completing my training at Shepherd AF Base. I served four years with the Air Force Systems Command. Jim was assigned to radio school after he completed ARMY NCO Academy. His musical background, however, was needed and he was assigned to cemetery duty as bugler at Arlington National Cemetery.
Click here to continue reading August 2007: Volume 7 - Issue 11
I support our troops wherever our sometimes short sighted politicians may sometimes send them, 100%, but I thought that story about the teacher in Arkansas was pointless flag waving. I am sure this will not be a popular point of view since I raised this with some of the editorial staff before. About the story itself - I think there are much more productive ways for a teacher to impress upon school children the importance and gravity of sacrifices the citizens of the United States - mostly young people who have not yet lived even half a life - make when this country goes to war. I would hope they are trying to teach the children the importance of electing politicians who are responsible for the guys and gals who may not be around to carry a desk, or may not have limbs left to do that on their return.
Click here to continue reading July 2007: Volume 7 - Issue 10