The Frank DePergola Story
From Brooklyn to Berlin
By Dennis M. Small
Webmaster's Note: The following Story is about Merrick Post No. 1282, American Legion member, Frank DePergola. Mr. DePergola was the 2013 Grand Marshall in our Merrick's Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony.
I rec
ently had the pleasure of meeting Frank DePergola at his home in North Merrick, where he resides with his grandson and family. He is a patient at the VA Hospital and comes into the hospital on one of the Nassau Runs. He is a World War II Veteran and served in the European Theater.
He is a man small in stature but with a history larger then life. This son of Italian Immigrants from Bari, Italy was born in Little Italy on Mulberry Street on May 11th 1923. Later his family moved to Brooklyn. Frank is 90 years old, and is totally self-sufficient. His recall of events was remarkable and I liked this man immediately upon meeting him. Here is his story. Photos left are Frank back in the day.
Read more: The Frank DePergola Story
Honor Flight
I am a Merrick Post No. 1282, American Legion, member and I am involved in a program called "Honor Flight". The Honor Flight program transports World War II Veterans for free who have not seen their World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. The visit to Washington D.C. is a one day trip which involves a flight out MacArthur Airport, a coach bus to and from the World War II Memorial, a boxed lunch, dinner at a restaurant and a flight back from Washington D.C. to MacArthur airport.
Veterans Monument has an inspired past
by Eileen Diver
Webmaster's Note: Dear Reader, the following article was written in 2009 and published in Merrick Life. The article is a dated, but I wanted to include it in our blog section because it gives you an insight into the Merrick's Veteran Memorial Park. In 2011, a 9-11 memorial was built at the Park to a mark the 10th Anniversary of 9-11 and pay tribute to the heroes who lost/risked their lives on that fateful day.
A green manicured 400-foot triangle of land on Merrick Avenue and Little Whaleneck Road has become a peaceful and meaningful addition to the landscape of our town.
The Veterans Memorial Park was the inspiration of veteran Walter Ellensohn, and with the dedication of this one man along with the American Legion Post 1282, the North Merrick Firefighters, organizations and officeholders, the site in 10 years has been embraced by the community. It is a place to honor those who served and are serving and where "their names liveth for evermore."
Read more: Veterans Monument has an inspired past
A veteran serving other veterans
By Laura Lane Mervosh
Webmaster's Note: The Post encourages woman veterans to join our Post. The following article is about one such woman veteran, Barbara Bryne. The article is dated but it gives insight to one of our women veterans. Barbara Byrne is an active member of the Post and is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Merrick Unit 1282.
When Barbara Byrne turned 19 years old, she partook in the adventure of a lifetime. She enlisted in the Women's Army Corps. In 1961, the climate in the country was different than now. As the Berlin Wall was erected, many people were inspired by patriotic feelings and enlisted to serve their country in the military. Byrne was working for an insurance company at the time and thought military service would be exciting.
Read more: A veteran serving other veterans