American Airpower Museum’s Veterans Day program celebrates World War II, Cold War veterans

The American Airpower Museum, Long Island’s only flying military aviation museum, will host a special Veterans Day program honoring Long Island veterans, on Saturday, November 7, 2020, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Museum, located at Republic Airport, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale.

The American Airpower Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the men and women who have worn the uniform of our Armed Forces. Veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq will be on hand.

This year’s program will commemorate the service performed by each honoree. “WWII veterans set high standards and passed the torch to later generations of soldiers, who met the challenge by continuing to defend America and her allies around the world to this day,” said Jeff Clyman, AAM President.

Among the honorees are eight WWII veterans from Long Island’s Greatest Generation. They are: Frank Agoglia, Deer Park; Ed Dionian, Farmingdale; Robert Edelson, Massapequa; Albert Gallo, Garden City South; Dr. Richard Heinl, Syosset, NY; Bud Rosch, Bethpage; Armand Tarantelli, Hicksville; Carl Tringali, Brooklyn.

Thumbnail bios of each, plus photographs are attached. Photographs taken for AAM by award-winning photo-journalist Debbie Egan-Chin. (WWII veteran participation made possible with help from 101^st Airborne Living History Group and Honor Flight Long Island.)

Additional honorees are Long Island veterans who were active in Korea and Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. “Whether they served in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Merchant Marines or Coast Guard, all veterans played an equal role in our victory in WWII and the Cold War,” Museum President Clyman said. “Long Island’s defense industry produced thousands of aircraft for America’s ‘Arsenal of Democracy.’

Our veterans, aware of the risks, flew them into harm’s way in America’s battles against fascism during WWII and in Cold War conflicts against communist tyranny,” he added.

Join us Nov. 7^t at AAM’s Ceremony of Honors. Afterward, watch in awe as aircraft from AAM’s fleet of meticulously maintained vintage warbirds depart from the Museum’s ramp and take to the skies to perform precision flybys over Republic Airport, creating super camera-ready opportunities for military aviation enthusiasts.

Admission for Adults is $13, Seniors & Veterans $10 and Children $8. No tickets or pre-registration is necessary. Due to the need for social distancing, admission will be limited to first come/first served and a maximum attendance of 150 persons will be allowed on the outdoor ramp area. Visitors will be required to wear face masks and have temperatures digitally taken at the entrance. So bring your own lunch, hang out and enjoy the AAM experience! (Afternoon flight demonstrations may be canceled due to inclement weather.)

If you can’t join us on Nov. 7, please help AAM offset major financial losses incurred during our Covid-19 shutdown, by using a secure PayPal link at: www.americanairpowermuseum.com/donate/ to make a tax-deductible contribution — NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL — or for more information on corporate donations, call Jacky Clyman, AAM Executive Vice President, at (917) 690-1965 or jacky@cockpitusa.com.

WWII veteran Albert Gallo, 97, at his home, October 5, 2020 in Garden City, NY. He served as an Army captain in Iwo Jima and watched the Americans raise the flag with his own eyes.

WWII veteran Armand (Mr T) Tarantelli , 94, at his home, October 6, 2020 in Hicksville, N.Y. holding his American flag. He served in the Army in a Sherman tanker in Germany.

WWII veteran Bud (Bernard) Rosch, 99, at his home, October 6, 2020 in Bethpage NY holding a photograph taken in 1940, during pilot training, of himself, left, and friend Frank Visciglia, right, who was killed in action during the war. Bud served in Army Air Corp. and was shot down in Italy on December 28, 1944.

WWII veteran Carl Tringali, 96, at his home, October 6, 2020 in Brooklyn, NY holds photo of himself, left, Carl volunteered with the Navy in 1943 when he was 19 years old then survived a typhoon and kamikazes while serving in the Pacific until 1946. Known to friends as Òdancing CarlÓ he smiled widely saying his life has been lucky.

Dr. Richard Heinl ,96, October 9, 2020 in Syosset, NY. He served during WWII in the Army infantry from 1943-46 in Germany and was awarded the Bronze Star, which he humbly said “I honestly don’t know what for. I just did my job”. The Bronze Star is awarded for heroic achievement in a combat zone.

WWII veteran Ed Dionian, 99, at his home, October 4, 2020 in Farmingdale.

WWII veteran Frank Agoglia, 97, at his home October 5, 2020 in Deer Park, NY. Frank was 19 years old when he joined in 1942. Served in 82nd Airborne in Normandie, France.

WWII veteran Robert M. Edelson, 95, at his home, October 4, 2020 in Massapequa, NY.

Photographs taken for AAM by award-winning photo-journalist Debbie Egan-Chin. (WWII veteran participation made possible with help from 101^st Airborne Living History Group and Honor Flight Long Island.)