Huntington Elks Lodge And Town Of Huntington Co-Host Flag Day Ceremony & Kick Off Veteran-Inspired Team EVA 7-Day Marathon - Video Update

Press release from the Town of Huntington:

June 15, 2021

VIDEO: https://huntingtonny.granicus....

Huntington – Huntington Elks Lodge 1565 and the Town of Huntington presented the Elks’ Annual Flag Day Ceremony featuring military flags and the kickoff to Team EVA (Every Veteran Appreciated) 7-day marathon run by Eva Casale on Sunday, June 6 on Veterans Plaza at Huntington Town Hall.

The program honored our nation's colors and celebrated the history of the American Flag. During the program, a Military Flag Day Ceremony presented flags representing the United States Military and Huntington throughout its history. Deputy Supervisor, Councilman Ed Smyth, veteran Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, presented the American Flag.

The ceremony also kicked off Team EVA’s Seven Marathons (over 184 Miles) in Seven Days. For the fifth year in a row, Eva Casale pounded the pavement a minimum of 26.2 miles each day to raise funds and awareness for a cause close to her heart – to honor our troops, our local veterans and our Fallen Heroes.

A group of Team EVA runners and ceremony attendees symbolically executed 22 pushups to honor the memory of the 22 United States veterans lost to suicide daily.

Town of Huntington Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci served as master of ceremonies for the event and was joined by Deputy Supervisor, Councilman Ed Smyth, U.S. Marine (res.); Receiver of Taxes Jillian Guthman; State Senator Jim Gaughran; Suffolk County Legislator Susan Berland, Chairwoman of the Legislature’s Veterans Committee; and former Babylon Councilwoman and retired Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, Jacqueline A. Gordon.

Participating in the ceremony were Diana and Vinny Bonacasa, Gold Star Parents of Staff Sergeant Louis Bonacasa; U.S. Army National Guard Specialist Michael J. Gadaleta (Active Duty); U.S. Navy Machinist Mate Fireman Andrew Warsaw (Veteran); U.S. Air Force E4 Senior Airman Deborah Bonacasa (Veteran); U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Andy Dalby (Veteran); U.S. Coast Guard former Auxiliary Member and Immediate Past Elks State Vice President John Brigante; Eva Casale, Senior Vice President, Information Technology Suffolk Federal Credit Union and her Team Eva; NYS Elks East District Sponsor Anthony Florio; NYS Elks Vice President Ted Fargis; Jenny Mortenson Hespeler and Stefan Hespeler, Operation VEST; Robert Misseri, Paws of War; members of the Huntington Elks Lodge #1565; Pete Jepson, Patriot Guard Riders; Chaplain Michael Schlenoff from Plainview VFW Post #5942; Plainview VFW Post #5942 Color Guard; Suffolk County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band; and tenor Frank Rendo.

From June 6-12, Casale led her Team EVA for every mile during what she calls the “Every Veteran Appreciated” Week. Each marathon focused on honoring local servicemen killed in action. Team EVA continued their journey of completing seven marathons over seven days throughout Huntington and into Northport, LI National Cemetery, Eisenhower Park, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Calverton, Westhampton, Oyster Bay, Bayville, Glen Cove, Brookhaven, Patchogue, Medford, and Long Island’s South Shore. The closing ceremony was held at the Westhampton VFW as Casale and her team crossed the final finish line.

“We are very excited to be a part of Eva’s journey to support our nation’s veterans, especially those here in the Long Island community along with their families,” said Huntington Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci. “Veterans and their families make the ultimate sacrifice so we can experience an abundance of freedom in this country. To support Eva and her team as they begin this incredible journey here in Huntington with this unique 184-mile platform and to raise awareness, acknowledge and support our Long Island Veteran community is an absolute honor.”

Support our veterans through Team EVA: Eva is also inviting the community to join her during her marathon days. For a $30 donation, you can join her for a 5k to an 8-mile run or you can simply support her by donating any amount to the effort. For more information visit www.GoTeamEva.org.

The Order of Elks adopted the practice of celebrating Flag Day in 1907. Since then, every Elks Lodge throughout the country is required to observe Flag Day annually. The Elks encouraged President Woodrow Wilson to recognize the Order's observance of Flag Day for its patriotic expression. But it was not until 1949 when President Harry Truman, himself a member of the Elks, made the proclamation that thereafter June 14 would be a day of national observance for the symbol of our country.

This press release was produced by the Town of Huntington. The views expressed are the author's own.