Lake Ronkonkoma Group Unveils Armed Forces Day Plans

The Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association (LRHA) has released its schedule for this year's Armed Forces Day celebration at the WWII Memorial Tree.

The event begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday May 18 at the tree on the corner of Hawkins Avenue and Portion Road. The LRHA organized a similar event with great success last year.

This year, according to a letter from Ellen Okvist, president of the LRHA, confirmed attendees at the event include:

• Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association
• American Legion Post #155
• Ronkonkoma Fire Dept
• Nesconset Fire Dept
• Model A Ford Club of Long Island
• Long Island Gold Star Moms NY6
• Long Island Blue Star Moms NY6
• Justin Manning, Eagle Scout Candidate and Reflection Bench Project
• John J. Rago, Veterans Services, Town of Brookhaven
• Tom Muratore, Suffolk County Legislator District 4
• Brookhaven Town Supervisor Edward P. Romaine
• Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society
• Many new and repeat attendees

Armed Forces Day provides an opportunity for the community to memorialize fallen soldiers, honor current veterans and meet returning veterans in the Sachem area.

Similar to last year, the "Community Heritage" Annual Homemade Ornament Presentation will take place. Sachem residents are encouraged to make a Red, White and Blue ornament at home that includes the name, rank and branch of a known veteran, and hang the ornament on the memorial tree on Armed Forces Day.

Also, Helen Hethy Mulvihill, recent winner of the "Woman of Distrinction" award, will officially proclaim the memorial tree a Lake Ronkonoma Historic Landmark.

Earlier this week, Patch reported on volunteer efforts to clean up the area around the tree and install new picnic tables underneath. That initiative was spearheaded by Levittown-based Eagle Scout candidate Justin Manning.