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Vol. 73 No. 5
JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 5, 2025
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Reaching for new scientific heights
Wantagh fights for ‘Warriors’ State Senate bill aims to exempt district from mascot and imagery ban tribes — which continue to be an important part of our history and legacy — the heavyA new bill in the State Sen- handed and arbitrary univerate could allow the Wantagh sal application of this regulaSchool District to retain its tion results in the devaluing of Warriors nickname — and pos- that history,” Rhoads wrote. The bill asserts that the sibly its logo. Introduced on Jan. 8, Senate Warriors name and logo honor the history of Chief Bill 2025-S717 would Wantagh, a Grand exempt the district Sachem of the Monfrom laws, rules and regulations regardtaukett tribe, who ing the use of Indigsigned a 1657 comenous names, maspact resolving land cots and logos. A disputes in what is resolution adopted now Wantagh. The by the State Board community was of Regents in 2023 renamed in his requires school dishonor in 1891, and t r i c t s t o re m ove the school district Indigenous images adopted the Warand references by riors name in 1956 the end of the 2024- JoHN McNAMARA as a tribute. 25 school year. T he bill notes Superintendent, The bill is spon- Wantagh School that the State Board sored by State Sen. of Re gents’ manDistrict Steve Rhoads, who date fails to account has argued that the f o r Wa n t a g h ’s Warriors name, logo and imag- unique history, with a name ery honor Wantagh’s history. In celebrating Indigenous legacy a 2023 letter to State Education rather than denigrating it, and Commissioner Betty Rosa, that a request by the district to Rhoads emphasized the impor- retain and rebrand the Wartance of Indigenous tribes to riors name was denied without the history of Wantagh. explanation. “Here on Long Island, where “The choice of the Wantagh much of the land was original- Warriors was not an attempt to ly occupied by Indigenous CoNtiNueD oN PAge 7
By CHARlES SHAW
cshaw@liherald.com
Herald file photo
Friends, family and supporters will gather at Mulcahy’s Pub in Wantagh on Saturday for the 20th annual tribute to the life and legacy of Staff Sgt. James McNaughton, an NYPD officer and Army reservist remembered for his service and sacrifice. Above, McNaughton’s friends and colleagues at last year’s event.
Keeping James McNaughton’s memory alive with a good time By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Twenty years after a sniper’s bullet killed Staff Sgt. James McNaughton in Iraq, Vinny Zecca never imagined he’d still be honoring the memory of his childhood friend. Zecca, along with friends and family, will hold the 20th annual tribute celebrating the life of McNaughton, a NYPD officer and U.S. Army reservist, at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, 3232 Railroad Ave. in Wantagh, from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday. “A lot of people come down, and they see not only the type of person Jimmy was and how many lives he touched, but they also have a really good time,” Zecca said. “It draws them back every year.” The tribute will feature a live DJ and a musical performance by Plunge, a Long Island-based rock band that has played at the event each year. According to Zecca, mem-
bers of law enforcement and military will attend the event, and the NYPD Pipes and Drums band will perform. The goal of the tribute, according to Zecca, is to ensure McNaughton’s memory is kept alive, as well as honor fallen heroes and raise awareness and support for veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury or illness due to their military service. Proceeds from the event will benefit nonprofit organizations that support veterans, including the Wounded Warrior Project and the Northport PTSD Veterans Association. Zecca became friends with McNaughton in the 1980s when they met in third grade at Oxhead Road Elementary School in Centereach. McNaughton was born on April 13, 1978 at West Point Military Hospital, where his father, William, was stationed as a cook. He grew up in Centereach and developed a CoNtiNueD oN PAge 10
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egardless of the decision, the district is prepared to respond appropriately.