Peconic Bay Medical Center held a Memorial Day ceremony this afternoon, featuring performances by the Riverhead Middle School band.
The ceremony marked the end of a fundraiser sale of American flags in the hospital’s gift shop, where more than 500 flags were sold for $5 each. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefitted the Northport Veterans Administration Medical Center Women Veterans Health and Wellness Program.
“I want to thank everyone here at Peconic Bay,” said Rosemary Williamson of the Northport VA Medical Center. “Our women veterans are changing — they’re serving on the front lines. We’ve historically served only a male population, and now we’re looking at the needs of women veterans, making sure we are the right place for our women returning.”
Women have unique needs, Williamson said, and the VA works to provide them with access to GYN services, homelessness prevention and community support.
“I want you all to remember the memorial in the Memorial Day,” Williamson said. “As you spend it with family and friends, make sure to honor the time, courage and legacy of our fallen service members. Place a flag on the grave of a fallen soldier and remember what they’ve done.”
The Hospital Auxiliary planted the flags around the hospital’s campus, each with a written dedication to a service member the person who bought the flag wanted to honor.
Girl Scout Cadet Troop 3877 presented the Color Guard. Taps was played by members of the Riverhead Middle School band.
Riverhead Middle School students performed a selection of patriotic songs, including arrangements of the Stars and Stripes Forever and God Bless America. To commemorate the day, students were given miniature American Flags by members of the Hospital Auxliary.
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