Early Saturday, dozens of military families and hundreds more gathered at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in Eisenhower Park to pay tribute to Long Islanders who served the United States in times of war and peace.

The newly added names of 280 American heroes were unveiled on the Walls of Honor.

The names were originally added in August of 2020, but the pandemic put the public ceremony on hold until today. The 280 names will join the more than 10,000 names that have already been added over the years since the Walls of Honor were first unveiled in 1991.

The Walls of Honor are honor walls, not memorials. There are more living honorees than those who have passed.

Vietnam Veteran Patrick Yngstrom of North Merrick says it's special to see his name on the wall.

The names on the wall were added by request of veterans' families as a show of pride for their loved one's service. 

Another ceremony for the 2021 honorees will be held in October.