(Babylon, N.Y.) – As the Museum of American Armor inside Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, prepares to observe the 80th anniversary of the iconic Sherman tank that spearheaded America’s liberation of Europe, Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer is asking all Sherman tank veterans to come forward and be recognized.
The anniversary program will be held at the Armor Museum on Saturday, June 11th at 12 Noon as part of a weekend program featuring the museum’s operational armor collection.
“We want to make sure that our veterans who fought in these legendary tanks are reunited with the only one on Long Island and one that is still in working condition on the grounds of the Armor Museum. The tanks may be historic but the men who crewed them were heroes. As we approach this milestone these veterans deserve to be honored,” stated the Supervisor.
“We are asking them to contact us so that we may coordinate their participation in the program,” he continued. “In addition, the families of late Sherman tankers should also reach out to us as the museum is requesting that they participate as well with photos of their World War II loved ones in uniform so that those men can be honored in memorial.”
Please contact Councilman DuWayne Gregory’s office, Chair of the Veterans Advisory Board at 631-957-3127 or tobveterans@townofbabylon.com to be recognized at this event.
In addition to the Sherman program, the weekend will feature military reenactments presented by the Long Island Living History Association (LILHA) and a parade of operational armor vehicles that comprise the museum’s extensive collection.
Michael Sapraicone, Senior Armor Museum Trustee said, “This museum is a unique commitment by public and private sectors to preserve and present a seminal chapter in the history of our world that is still defining current events around the world. We are honored to present this program and in cooperation with Supervisor Schaffer and Babylon Town Hall.”
Admission is $15 adults; $12 children 5 - 12 (under 5 are free); and $12 seniors, (60+) volunteer firefighters and veterans (Please provide ID). Tickets are available at the gate or at www.oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org/tickets
The Sherman tribute and the museum’s World War II Weekend are sponsored in part by Squad Security, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, PSEG Long Island, and Polimeni International. For more Armor information, go to www.museumofamericanarmor.org or friend them on Facebook.