Local residents, veterans, elected officials, families and friends gathered outside the Levittown Library on Saturday for a dedication ceremony of the new Veterans' Memorial. The memorial was constructed in front of the library since the location has been the home of a monument erected by the Levittown - Island Trees Veteran's Council for many years. As part of the Levittown Revitalization Project, the Town of Hempstead decided to build a structure over and around the existing stone monument to add prominence and also enhanced the area with brick, new flagpoles, lighting and plantings.

At the dedication ceremony, Hempstead Town Supervisor Rich Guardino noted that veterans have shaped the community from the very beginning.

"We at the town have been working with New York State and the Levittown Chamber of Commerce to beautify this thoroughfare, the gateway to Levittown," he said.

Guardino recognized town officials, including Councilman Gary Hudes, Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin and Town Clerk Kate Murray, noting that in her previous role as assemblywoman to the area, Murray was a driving force behind the revitalization project, as has been Senator Kemp Hannon. Guardino further noted that local veterans' organizations were also on hand, including members from American Legion Post 1711, VFW Post 9592, the Ladies Auxiliary and the Air Force Association.

"Today was selected for this dedication because of the significance of this weekend," Guardino said. "Memorial Day weekend ... is a time for us to reflect on those who have fought bravely for our country and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I hope that this new memorial provides the residents of Levittown a place to reflect and remember those sacrifices."

The supervisor also recognized those currently serving in the military.

"Our country is a better place because of those who have served in the past and those who are currently serving. God Bless our veterans and God Bless America," he said.

Councilman Hudes said that the erection of this memorial was of particular importance to the town in light of the recent revitalization plans for the turnpike. He added that the four columns of the memorial each represent one important aspect of what veterans did for their country.

"Its four stately columns represent dedication - the dedication of the men and women that left their families to serve their country in its time of need; honor - honor to those that through their heroism saved their brothers' and sisters' lives on the battlefield; love - love of a country that stands as the guardian against tyranny in our world and sacrifice - for those that through their ultimate sacrifice only left memories behind and gave their lives so that we could stand here today as a free people to live our lives, here in this beautiful community of Levittown," he said.

Guardino and Hudes recognized the hard work of John Rottkamp and his team at the Town of Hempstead (Rottkamp is also the chief of the Levittown Fire Department) and thanked him for his dedication in making sure plans for the memorial were going as planned.

Guardino noted that he hopes the new memorial can serve as a place where residents can come to remember those who sacrificed their lives so Americans today could enjoy the freedoms that they do.