In a service held each year at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the Levittown/Island Trees Veterans Council, along with Levittown community members, took a few moments to remember the sacrifices made by veterans and current soldiers in the past and today.

The ceremony was held on Veteran's Day at the Levittown Veterans Memorial Park. A Levittowner and former veteran himself, Legislator Dennis Dunne, Sr. has been a member of the Levittown/Island Trees Veteran's Council for over 20 years.

"We're saying thank you to the men and women who have served and are serving our country," Dunne, who also helps organize the event, said. "The cost of freedom isn't free and these fellows and girls deserve a pat on the back more than once a year."

Dunne was 18 years old when he joined the Marine Corps after attending Division Avenue High School. He told the children in attendance he was relaying information about veterans that they wouldn't learn about in their textbooks at school.

"We left our families, our jobs, our schools to keep the freedoms that we now enjoy," Dunne said. "This is a great day, a very happy day."

Members of the American Legion Post 1711 and VFW Post 9592 were all in attendance as were several Nassau County Boy and Girl Scout troops. Matthew DeGregorio of Levittown was a member of the Air Force from 1968-1972. He also belongs to the VFW.

"I come here every year so that we're not forgotten," DeGregorio said, whose military service included two years in Vietnam.

Suzanne Livigni and Angel Bates are troop leaders for Girl Scout Troop 3070 in Island Trees. This is their second year attending the ceremony.

"It is a nice thing to do with the girls," Bates said.

"Last year we made cards and this year we made [USA] pins for everyone to wear," Livigni said.

Supervisor Murray, a native Levittowner, and Councilman Gary Hudes were also on hand to help commemorate Veteran's Day. It was through their assistance that the Levittown Veterans Memorial Park, on the corner of Shelter Lane and Hempstead Turnpike, came to be.

"You are free today because of all the hard work and struggles these veterans have given," Hudes said.

"This community is for veterans and it is a perfect place for a memorial park," Murray said. "There is no better place on Long Island that has housed and supported veterans than Levittown."