Town of Huntington & Dix Hills Garden Club dedicate Memorial Marker to Gold Star Families

Town & Garden Club remembering fallen heroes while serving in Armed Forces

Huntington, NY – Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth and the Dix Hills Garden Club unveiled a Gold Star Families Memorial Marker at a dedication Ceremony on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Dix Hills Park in Dix Hills.

The marker, HONOR – HOPE – HEALING, was designed to remember fallen heroes from the Town of Huntington who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.  The memorial was designed and donated by Mike Sipala II and Mike Sipala III of Sipala Landscaping, Inc. of Dix Hills.

Gold Star Families Memorial Marker – Honor – Hope – Healing – located at the Dix Hills Park, 575 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills, NY.  The Marker was commissioned by the Dix Hills Garden Club and designed by Sipala Landscaping, Inc. of Dix Hills

Huntington elected officials, members of the Dix Hills Garden Club, Veterans and friends unveiled the marker to mothers and family members of fallen service men from Huntington.

In Attendance: were family members of:

• U.S. Coast Guard II Eric Nathan Bruckenthal, Northern Persian Gulf
• 1st Lt. Nicholas Manganiello, U.S. Marine Corp.
• Army Specialist Anthony L. Mangano, KIA 6/21/08, Iraq
• U.S. Marine Christopher G. Scherer, KIA 7/21/09

“By remembering and honoring Gold Star families, we are acknowledging the courage and resilience of those who have lost loved ones in service to our country”, said Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth.  “Recently I learned recently that Gold Star Mothers and Families Day is nationally recognized on the last Sunday in September.  In the Town of Huntington, we want everyone to know that we honor our Gold Star Families and all our Veterans and Military every day and we ask that God bless them and keep them always.   For those we lost in service to our Country, we are forever grateful”.

Seen here, standing in front of the photos and bios of Huntington’s fallen service men are Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth with Gold Star Families members and event organizers from the Dix Hills Garden Club. Pictured, left to right; Gold Star Parents, Ric and Patricia Bruckenthal; Dix Hills Garden Club Co-Presidents, Joan Enright and Nancy Binger; Huntington Council Members, Theresa Mari, and Dr. Dave Bennardo; Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth; Gold Star Parents Janet and Tim Scherer; Gold Star Family Members June Mangano and Connie Mangano; Gold Star Mom, Rosemarie Manganiello; Kathleen Jokubiel, Vice President, Dix Hills Garden   Club; and Elizabeth Walsh, Director of 2nd District, Federated Garden Clubs of New York State.

Color Guard for the Gold Star Families Memorial Marker event were the Girl scout of Suffolk County Service Unit 612, led by Troop Leader Wendy Aull, (3rd from left).  

Members of the Band of Veterans & Friends, a Military Veteran’s rock Band, who provided music before and after the ceremony.

Garden Clubs have a long history supporting our Veterans and their families. 

Beginning with World War II, the Garden Clubs of America started the Blue Star Memorial Highway Project - a nationwide effort to honor World War II veterans and later, all service members.  They planted trees and installed memorial markers along highways to acknowledge the sacrifices of those in the military.  The Blue Star Memorial Highway project also contributed to civic beautification by creating green spaces and promoting a sense of community.

“The Town of Huntington applauds the Dix Hills Garden Club for their vision and historic observation in putting this Gold Star Families Marker Dedication together”, said Smyth.   “This is an incredible slice of history and we applaud the Dix Hills Garden Club for their commitment to this legacy and especially to our Gold Star Families and our Veterans”.

For additional event information, contact Nancy Binger or Joan Enright, Co-Presidents of the Dix Hills Garden Club at [email protected].

(All photos courtesy: Town of Huntington)