Nassau Creating Memorial For Afghanistan, Iraq War Veterans

EAST MEADOW, NY — Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced today that the county is planning to add a memorial to commemorate those who fought in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to Eisenhower Park.

The county has entered into a public-private partnership with Heroes Among Us, a local non-profit dedicated to serving veterans, in order to finance the planning and construction of the memorial. The county is hoping to break ground on the memorial in October, which would mark the 20th anniversary of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

"This October will mark 20 years since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan. Since then, more than 7,000 Americans have lost their lives in those conflicts," Curran said. "More than 2.5 million have served in both wars, and many of those veterans call Nassau county home.

"We believe it's time Nassau County properly honors the men and women that served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars," Curran added.

The county is looking to raise $100,000 to finance the planning and construction of the memorial at Eisenhower Park. The county has already received donations from Heroes Among Us, as well as Northrop Grumman. So far, Curran said about $10,000 has been raised.

In addition to those who served in Afghansitan and Iraq, the memorial will also honor soldiers who took their own lives.

"This means a lot," said Ralph Esposito, the director of the county's Veterans Service Agency. "This park is about memorials dedicated to every branch of service, every war, and it's time we recognize those Iraq and Afghanistan vets."

You can donate to the construction of the memorial by visiting the Heroes Among Us website.