"As the grand opening of the Long Island Veterans Museum draws near, organizers are seeking donations."

Long Island's veterans are about to step into the spotlight as organizers of a regional veterans museum put the final touches on their new complex.

Situated at the former Rocky Point train station and opposite the Rocky Point VFW Post 6249 on King Road, the Suffolk County World War II and Military History Museum is set to open its doors to the public on December 7. The museum's mission is to share the stories of local veterans from across Long Island, showcasing their uniforms, combat gear, and records for all to see.

The construction of this museum began earlier this year and is now approaching completion. As they approach the final stages, organizers are reaching out to the community for support. In the process of preparing the complex for its public debut, museum curator and post member Rich Acritelli mentioned that the post is still actively seeking donations of military memorabilia and equipment.

"If anybody has any equipment, web gear, old shovels, knives, canteens, helmets, binoculars, bayonets, rifles, any cold weather gear, or vintage hats, the museum will gladly accept and showcase that memorabilia," he stated.

In addition to artifacts, the museum is also in need of display cases, shelves, and mannequins to enhance its exhibits. A focal point of the museum will be its military wall of honor, positioned along the exterior of the premises. Acritelli expressed his hope to feature 250 names of local veterans by the museum's grand opening ceremony in December.

"We want people to reflect on their family histories," he remarked. "They're doing just that – reflecting on their family stories and saying, 'I have a cousin, an uncle, grandparents' who served in the U.S. armed forces,' and we're receiving a multitude of families submitting names."

Joe Cognitore, commander of Post 6249, underscored the museum's role as an extension of the VFW's initiatives, conceived as an educational and outreach hub to unite the region's veterans.

"Education is a continuous journey," he noted, emphasizing that the envisioned complex ensures that the experiences of veteran combat are not forgotten or overlooked.

Cognitore also mentioned that local Scouts and students seeking community service hours are encouraged to participate in the museum's buildout. This not only offers valuable service hours but aligns with the post's mission of educating Long Island's youth about the wartime experiences of local veterans.

"We want them to get involved, delve into history, and gain insights into some of the battles," he added.

Throughout the development of the museum, both Cognitore and Acritelli agreed that the project has given rise to a growing community of local veterans, uniting former service members around a shared mission. "We're keeping very busy, but it's a positive and worthwhile endeavor," noted Acritelli.

In light of this growing network, Cognitore expressed the post's goal of becoming a "one-stop shopping VFW."

"We aim to welcome veterans from all walks of life," the post commander stated.

To make a donation to the museum or submit a name for the military wall of honor, you can reach out to Acritelli at richvack@yahoo.com.

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