Suffolk Participates In Coronavirus Victims' National Memorial

HAUPPAUGE, NY — The H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge was lit up blue on Tuesday night to honor all those who have died to the coronavirus pandemic, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced. The gesture was part of a national memorial.

"This pandemic has impacted each and every one of us in one way or another, but everything we have done from wearing masks to practicing social distancing, to limiting gatherings has been about saving lives," Bellone stated. "Over the last 10 months, far too many Suffolk residents have unfortunately lost their battle to COVID-19. Tonight, we will take a moment to remember all those we lost, while we look towards a hopeful future and beating this virus once and for all."

Roughly 2,600 Suffolk County residents have died to COVID-19 as of Tuesday afternoon, according to state data.

Starting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, cities and towns across the country began participating in the memorial, which was organized by President-elect Joe Biden's inaugural committee to honor lives lost to COVID-19.

In Washington, Biden and incoming Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a ceremony at the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial to pay tribute to the 400,000 Americans who have died.

The H. Lee Dennison Building, at 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, is one of the buildings that house Suffolk County's government.