The American Airpower Museum (AAM), Honor Flight Long Island (HFLI) and Mission Margraten Plus (MMP), will host a special Veterans Day program honoring Long Island Veterans, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Museum, located at Republic Airport, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, New York. Long Islanders to be honored include two WWII Veterans and 14 who served in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Whether they served in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Merchant Marines or Coast Guard, all Veterans who defended freedom and U.S. interests during WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, plus later conflicts Iraq and Afghanistan, deserve to be honored,” said Jeff Clyman, AAM President. “Aware of the risks, our Veterans fought in America’s battles against Fascism, Communism and in defense of liberty worldwide. We’re proud to honor them this Veterans Day.” Veteran participation with assistance and coordination from HFLI and MMP.
Join us November 11th, at 11:00 a.m., for welcome remarks by AAM, HFLI and MMP. A Cub Scout Honor Guard will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, coffee and cake will be served to Veterans and their families, while AAM prepares their C-47 Skytrain “Second Chance.” Then, four Wantagh HS students will join 16 Veterans on two flying Salutes over Long Island National Cemetery; first flight is at 12:00 p.m., second at 1:30 p.m., weather permitting. At exactly 2:11 p.m., two minutes of silence will be observed, as prescribed by the Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act of 2016.
Both WWII Veterans are 102 years old, Bill Nacinovich and Dominick Critelli. Critelli of Floral Park played his Sax at the UBS Arena on September 17th with André Rieu, and will perform America The Beautiful and the National Anthem at AAM on November 11th. Admission for Adults is $15, Seniors $12, Children 5 to 12 $10, kids under 5 for free. Free admission for Veterans and Active Military.
American Airpower Museum is an aviation museum located on the landmarked former site of Republic Aviation at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY. The Museum maintains a collection of aviation artifacts and an array of aircraft spanning the many years of the aircraft factory's history. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Educational Foundation Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.