VETERANS DAY · TOWN OF BABYLON

The fighting in the First World War stopped at a precise moment: the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. That is why November 11 is the date, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs explains. It began as Armistice Day; in 1954 it became Veterans Day, for veterans of all wars. Across the Town this year, the ceremonies still lean toward that hour. Veterans Day is Wednesday, November 11, and Town offices will be closed.

Babylon Village, 10 a.m.: the parade. It steps off at Foster Boulevard, heads south on Deer Park Avenue to Montauk Highway, west to North Carll Avenue, north on North Carll, then east on Grove Place back to the American Legion Hall. Expect road closures from 9:45 to 11 a.m., the Village of Babylon says. The host is Babylon American Legion Post #94, which holds its ceremony at the Post after the march, according to the Village board’s October 13 minutes.

Amityville, 10:50 a.m.: the bells. The Village of Amityville holds its service on the Village Triangle, Broadway and Park Avenue. At 11 a.m. the bells of St. Mary’s Church ring for all who served, and the Amityville High School Band plays patriotic selections.

Lindenhurst, 11 a.m.: Village Square. The Village of Lindenhurst lists its ceremony in Lindenhurst Village Square, from 11 a.m. to noon.

West Babylon, 11:11 a.m.: the Legion. American Legion Post 1634 holds a Veterans Day open house: breakfast at 9:30 a.m., a ceremony at 11:11 a.m. led by the commander of its Sons of the American Legion squadron, and lunch at 12:30 p.m.

Ways to say thank you that outlast the day

Bring a veteran to the help. Post 1634 holds a Veterans Benefits Symposium on Saturday, November 14, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with VA sign-ups, Suffolk veterans services and health agencies. Lindenhurst Memorial Library and the Lindenhurst Kiwanis Club host a Veterans Appreciation Lunch and Resource Fair on Thursday, November 12, 1 to 3 p.m.; register by November 5 with a library card. Today at 3 p.m., the library’s VetNow 101 teaches an online tool for VA benefits.

Make something. Teens in grades 6 to 12 can decorate a wood plaque for a veterans center through Amityville Public Library and earn an hour of community service. Kits go out and come back at the VFW, 300 Broadway, by November 30; registration closes tonight. Wyandanch Public Library teaches veteran card making on its Cricut machine Thursday, November 5, 6 to 7 p.m.

Retire a worn flag properly. Post 1634 says a flag too damaged to fly can be dropped at Babylon Town Hall, at the post at 10 Bruce Street, or at West Babylon Public Library.

Last month we previewed the Town’s Veterans Awareness Week kickoff. Hosting a service we missed? Tell us.

Sources: Village of Babylon · Village of Amityville · Village of Lindenhurst · American Legion Post 1634 · Lindenhurst Memorial Library · Amityville Public Library · Wyandanch Public Library newsletter · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “History of Veterans Day” · Town of Babylon calendar

Stock photo, not a Town of Babylon ceremony. Photo by David Everett Strickler on Unsplash.