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A fireworks show honoring fallen soldiers on a Long Island lake was canceled after town officials caved to green activists and critics who said the display would disturb bald eagles.
The “Salute to Our Fallen” firework show slated for May 30 at Lake Ronkonkoma was canceled Tuesday by Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter as activists threatened to protest
Carpenter made the call after months of pushback, with the display already pushed back from Memorial Day over concerns from local veterans about episodes of post-traumatic stress disorder from the blasts.
John Di Leonardo, activist and executive director of Humane Long Island, applauded the decision saying it helped not only bald eagles but other wildlife around the lake.
“This decision protects America’s national bird during a critical nesting season and prevents unnecessary stress, displacement, and potential injury to wildlife,” he said.
Di Leonardo described the fireworks display would have been hypocritical by harming an iconic American symbol by causing the region’s nearby nesting bald eagles to be displaced and potentially injured.
Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin — who organized the firework show — blamed the cancelation on the Islip Town code, which bars motorboats and propeller-driven vessels on the environmentally sensitive lake.
This means the fireworks barge that Bergin and other organizers had planned to ignite the fireworks from had no legal way to reach its launch site, Bergin said.
“Throughout the planning process, we worked closely with regulatory agencies to address every concern raised,” Bergin said, adding that the “difficult decision” was made after exhausting all available options to move forward with the event.
“We moved the fireworks barge away from the nearby eagle’s nest and complied fully with all requests,” she said. “We also agreed to move the event from Memorial Day weekend out of respect for concerns raised by others.
“The ‘Salute to Our Fallen’ celebration was intended to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, and organizers are deeply disappointed that the community will not be able to gather for this year’s tribute,” Bergin added.
Residents were torn on the cancellation — with some not buying Bergin’s boat laws explanation.
“It was the boat … not the thousands of upset people pleading for the birds,” quipped resident Gen Lee.
Another resident, Deirdre Danielson, called the cancellation “great news.”
“There are Eagles nesting there, as well as think of the poor dogs and their humans who have PTSD,” Danielson said.
But neighbor Bill Kickler said it was a shame the event won’t happen because of the objections of a few.
“Karen wins, everyone else loses,” Kickler said.
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