'He didn't have to die:' Vigil held outside Stony Brook veteran home

Participants say they want justice for the seniors who died as COVID-19 wreaked havoc in nursing homes across the state.

News 12 Staff

May 25, 2020, 1:26 AM

Updated 1,658 days ago

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A vigil was held in Stony Brook Sunday night to honor our fallen heroes who died from COVID-19.
Dozens gathered outside of the Long Island State Veterans Home to remember residents who they say passed away from the coronavirus. Participants say they want justice for the seniors who died as COVID-19 wreaked havoc in nursing homes across the state.
One West Babylon couple says they lost their father to COVID-19 after he contracted it while at a care facility. They say he didn't get the chance to have a proper veteran burial.
"No veterans service, no playing of taps, no flag on the coffin, nothing. And the craziest thing is he didn't have to die," says Jonathan Gilliam, of West Babylon.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently changed state policies for how nursing home operators handle the outbreak in hopes to better protect the elderly residents who live in them.