God bless the men and women in our heroic armed forces. We think especially of PFC William Cassidy, Cpt. Brian Leich, SA Matt Hivner, ChLt Steven Dunlas, LTC Kevin Batule, CHMajor Robert Coyle, Cpt. Donald Caetano, Sgt. Andrew Rosner, Lt. Richard Dougherty, BG William Welser III, 1st Lt. William Welser IV, Cpt. Mark Alacqua, Shawn Consey, Maj. Steven Shiraishi, Cpt. James Higgins, 1st Lt. Reid Galvin, SSG Matthew Clemens, Cpt. Kristen Zebrowski, PO3 David Bowman, SSG Doug Weichert, CHMajor James Krische, Steven Byrne, John Dandola, Tom Brown, LCPL Elliot McGinnis, Sgt. Robert Reidel, LTC Robert Reilly, MGT James Mueller, Cpt. Dan O'Connor, Lt. Richard Schmaeling, Cpt. Mary Melfi, LCpl James Rehman, PFC Mather Rebman, Cpt. William Denehan, Lt. William Shea, Spc Chris Nolan, AL Sean Gillece and SA Michael Slayf. These are some of those from Mineola or are relatives and friends of those from our village.

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We also pray for the forces of our British allies. We note that one contingent of the British Army is the Royal Irish Marines who distinguished themselves in battle.

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Marty and Loretta Dawber of Maple Place and Ken and Gerry Aiello of Beebe Road enjoyed dinner at the Davenport.

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Bob Teemsma retired from the police force after more than 30 years in the 3rd Precinct. Asked what he would do now, Bob joked, "I will manage my assets."

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Charles Cassely of Brown Street often eats at TR's with his pal, former Williston mayor Carl DelVecchio.

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Had a brief visit with former Mayor John Colbert and his wife Eleanor along with son Michael Pasqualina, his wife Janice and their daughter Karyn.

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When our youngest son Tom and his fiancée Debbie asked 23 years ago if Father Tomaz Gomide would perform their wedding ceremony he said he would be glad to but doubted he would be here since he expected to be transferred. Well, 23 years later we are happy to see he is still with Corpus Christi Church. Many joke that he should open his own travel agency since he has led parishioners on many pilgrimages to faraway places. He just recently returned from Spain and Portugal and before that was in Australia and New Zealand.

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John Conrad retired from the Water Department seven years ago after 30 years of service. He is very happy these days as he has his first grandchild. His son Mike and Laura announced the birth of Patrick Thomas on March 25.

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William Ressegue of Arlington Street was another fan of the long gone original hockey team, the NY Americans, who played 1925 to 1942. He recalls such Amerk stars as Sweeney Schriner, Lorne Carr, Chang Johnson and Red Dunton. He also remembers Eddie Shore and Howie Morenz. The Amerks never won anything but never gave up hope.

Want to see a really great picture? It is The Pianist. A wonderful story of how an heroic Jewish man survived the Holocaust. Adrien Brody won the "best actor" award for his performance.

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Faust and Maryann Guarino enjoyed brunch with us at Eleanor Rigbys.

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Josephine Daly of Wardwell Road likes to dine at Cugini's.

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Having lunch at the Churasqueira was Grand Knight Marcel and his wife Kathy Chaillol and Jack Simon and daughter Beth Ullo of Queens Bridal.

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Breakfast diners seen at the Jericho were Harry and Evelyn Entenmann and Marion Fitzpatrick.

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Also at our favorite diner was Tom Dwyer, a member of the Town of North Hempstead Board.