By Stephanie Petrellese

Clockwise: Cyril Smith, Susan Alvey, Robert Heineman and Michael Brosnan pose in front of the local military history display located in the library's downstairs gallery until June 30th. This month Garden City Public Library patrons will be able to learn about the Village's rich military history-without ever picking up a book.

Prominently featured in a glass showcase across from the circulation desk on the main floor, and displayed along the walls in the downstairs gallery, is a treasure trove of photos and memorabilia dating back to the Civil War through the current war in Iraq.

The exhibit will be on display until June 30th. In keeping with the display's theme, a lecture and reception has been scheduled for Saturday, June 6th at 2:30 p.m. in the library's large meeting room located on the lower level. "This lecture will complement the exhibit by detailing the important military heritage that Garden City has in service to this nation," said Garden City resident Cyril Smith. "It will also be an interesting review of this little-known aspect of Garden City's history."

A few months ago, Smith, a Vietnam veteran with a passion for history, elicited the help of several friends to draw attention to the subject. He contacted John Donovan, commander of the William Bradford Turner Post of the American Legion, as well as Susan Alvey, William Bellmer and Michael Brosnan. Robert Heineman, James Melone, Dan Ryniker, Robert Slattery and William Slattery also assisted as Smith worked to gather memorabilia and photos with a decidedly local slant.

Some of the people who worked on the exhibit gathered Wednesday evening at the library to share their stories and thoughts. Donovan served in the 82nd airborne division during the Vietnam War. "It affects you for the rest of your life," he said. "For most of us, it was the most concentrated time of our lives. You face death and realize how fragile life really is."

Susan Alvey used her artistic talent to actually set up the pieces in the display case. Her love of local history dates back to her childhood, when she would find shreds of pottery and coal in the backyard of her home on Willow Street. Some items found by her brother Perry Los Kamp, which are featured in the showcase, include a lock from 1882, iron horseshoes, an iron stirrup with a boot attachment and an iron horse bit. She said he found the items wrapped in an old army blanket in the mid-1970s.

Almost two shelves are dedicated to Marine 2nd Lieutenant Michael L. LiCalzi, a Garden City resident who lost his life on May 11, 2006 while serving in Iraq. "LiCalzi was a great commander, a class act, a star student at Chaminade and the Naval Academy, top in his class at the Army Armor Center...The community and his loved ones can properly take the greatest pride in him," Smith wrote in an exhibit dedication.

Some of the memorabilia found in the display case was procured via eBay, or by attending trade and antique shows. However, visitors will find plenty of items that were borrowed from residents who actually served in the military, such as the uniform and medals worn by resident Herb Blauert, who served under General George S. Patton during World War II.

The display caught the attention of Patrick Plunkett, 10, and his mother, who proudly reminded her son that his grandfather had served during World War II. She said her father doesn't like to talk about his days in the military, which is something that Donovan says he understands. He said there is a misconception among many people who think that when his friends gather at the American Legion Hall all they do is reminisce about their military experiences. According to Donovan, someone in the group will occasionally share a war story, but in general they prefer to congregate to do charity work, like spreading some cheer to those in the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

After enjoying the showcase on the main level, library patrons are encouraged to go downstairs to view a collection of 24 poster boards featured along the walls outside the meeting rooms to learn more about the chronology of Garden City's military history, residents who have served, and the location of local veteran memorials, honor rolls and markers.

Several of the boards contain photos by Robert Heineman, a tenth-grader at Garden City High School. Smith asked Heineman, his neighbor who has an interest in photography, to research the location of these memorials and markers and capture them on film. Heineman said he was able to complete the task with the help of his parents and the Internet. Another Garden City High School student, James Malone, took photos of other veteran memorials found at the Clinton Road firehouse and 990 Stewart Avenue.

After the exhibit officially ends on June 30th, Smith said he has offered the photo board portion to the Garden City Historical Society, the Garden City School District and the Garden City Library for permanent display.