In a service held each year by local veterans' organizations, the Levittown community took a few moments to remember the sacrifices made by veterans and current soldiers in the past and today.

Legislator Dennis Dunne, Sr., a Levittown resident and Marine Corps veteran, offered attendees a history of each war, thanking the individual military branches along the way.

"Veterans came home and created such a beautiful community for us," he stated. "Our fathers served in the war and we wanted to be like Dad and make Dad proud."

While stationed in California, Dunne was approached by a motorist who thanked him for his military service. He asked people to do just the same when they see veterans today.

"It makes them feel good," he added.

American Legion Post 1711 Commander John Gonzalez discussed the importance of supporting military men and women.

Kim McDonough of the Marine Corps League reminded attendees that a lot of women are veterans also.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, a Levittown resident and daughter of a World War II veteran, said "throughout the history of our nation, the men and women of the United States military have made great sacrifices to ensure that we, as Americans, can live in peace and freedom."

Murray then announced the unveiling of a veteran's monument, honoring the 33 Levittown residents who lost their lives in the Vietnam, Korean and Iraq Wars.

"The names of these brave men from Levittown should never be forgotten and this monument will ensure that future generations will know of the brave heroes who were killed in action," Murray said.

The monument, which was donated by Beth Dalton-Costello, owner of Dalton Funeral Homes, with etching and a dedication stone added by Wellwood Memorials, was installed at Veterans Memorial Park in front of the Levittown Library.

It was the efforts of VFW Post 9592 Commander Jack Stein that helped bring this Americanism project to fruition.

"Several years ago, a group of us from VFW Post 9592 had the distinction of returning a soldier's medal of honor to Stoneham, Massachusetts," he said. "When we arrived there, I was overwhelmed with the way the town revered this local hero. It was then that I began my quest to bring the same renewed level of patriotism home to Levittown. What I felt was missing here, was a visible monument containing the names of our local heroes whose efforts symbolized the cost of freedom."

Councilman Gary Hudes addressed the crowd by saying, "this monument will be a lasting reminder, a place where residents of this community, founded by returning veterans, will remind people of those heroes who never returned."

He read a poem entitled What Heroes Gave by Roger Robicheau, U.S. Army.

Each donned their uniform to be

Defenders of our liberty

Their mission sure, their spirits bright

Guard freedom's home, be brave to fight

One final day each faced their call

Each gave their best enduring all

We'll never know what they went through

But know they loved this country true

Deep down inside we should all feel

What heroes gave, their cost so real

We must stay thankful, grateful of

The gift of freedom through their love

Their loved ones bore the gravest pain

What we can't know, some now sustain

To God I pray their pain will cease

And each will find long-lasting peace

Remember this from year to year

What heroes gave - shan't disappear

We'll never let their special day

Their time for honor slip away

These brave fought for a nation free

If not for them, where would we be?

L/Cpl. Micky Johns - Sept. 20, 1966, Vietnam, Lt. Stephen E. Karopczyc - March 12, 1967, Vietnam, S/2c. John Ferrara - Aug. 23, 1967, Vietnam, Pfc. Donald Hollenbach - Nov. 22, 1967, Vietnam, Sgt. Robert Sanzone - May 18, 1967, Vietnam, Pfc. Salvatore Polizzi - July 12, 1967, Vietnam, Pfc. Charles Molano - Oct. 8, 1967, Vietnam, Cpl. Edward T. Murphy - May 22, 1967, Vietnam, Cpl. Kerry Geddes - Jan. 18, 1968, Vietnam, Pfc. Stephen Palazolla, March 6, 1968 - Vietnam, S/Sgt. Kellum W. Grant - May 4, 1968, Vietnam, Pfc. Wayne S. Crandall - Dec. 20, 1968, Vietnam, Cpl. Patrick Murphy - May 15, 1968, Vietnam, Cpl. Adam Knecht - May 7, 1968, Vietnam, S/Sgt. Gerald Cohen - April 21, 1968, Vietnam, Spec. 4 Steven Anderson - Feb. 19, 1968, Vietnam, L/Cpl. Terence Jordan - Jan. 7, 1968, Vietnam, Sgt. Kenneth Johnson - Nov. 28, 1968, Vietnam, Lt. Gary Fernandez - Jan. 7, 1968, Vietnam, Pfc. John F. Kitson - July 23, 1969, Vietnam, L/Cpl. Robert G. Schmidt - May 28, 1969, Vietnam, Pfc. Daniel McGrath - July 20, 1969, Vietnam, Pfc. Ronald A. Klingman - Oct. 8, 1969, Vietnam, Pvt. Edward F. Glenn, Jr. - July 24, 1970, Vietnam, Spec. 4 Richard A. Patterson - May 13, 1970, Vietnam, Cpl. Robert E. Cain - May 20, 1970, Vietnam, Sgt. Raymon Inslee - March 29, 1970, Vietnam, Spec. 4 William J. Hammer - March 12, 1971, Vietnam, Spec. 4 William Henaghan - May 10, 1972, Vietnam, M/Sgt Charlie Burton - Nov. 1, 1952, Korea, Cpt. William R. Fisher - Feb. 28, 1954, Korea, Cpt John A. Maciag - Sept. 2, 1951, Korea and Spc. Daniel A. Fuentes - Apr. 6, 2007 - Iraq.

In addition, the back of the monument will be dedicated to Levittown residents who are Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. So far, the only name on the back of the monument is Stephen Edward Karopczyz, a first lieutenant in the Army who died in Vietnam.