With support of the Riverhead Target on Old Country Road and the Suffolk Credit Union, the law enforcement organization was able to host around 30 kids and their families.

Two Riverhead police unions, the Riverhead Police Benevolent Association and the Superior Officers Associations, funded each child’s $100 shopping spree. Dozens of participating police officers helped with pushing shopping carts while the kids eagerly pulled various stuffed toys, games, electronics, Hot Wheels and other fun off the shelves and into their baskets.

The purpose of the event is to build a stronger connection between children in the Riverhead community and the town’s police force. The Riverhead Police Department also builds relationships through its school resource officer program with the Riverhead Central School District, as well as with its National Night Out summer event.

“We look forward to hosting this event each year and continuing to grow the bond between the Riverhead Police Department and the community we all love,” the Riverhead PBA said in a social media post.

Below are photos from the event, courtesy of Riverhead PBA vice president John Morris.

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Amid freezing temperatures and flurries and with only four days’ notice due to the government shutdown, the Riverhead PBA and local fire departments organized an informal Veterans Day gathering Tuesday along Middle Country Road outside the cemetery’s main entrance.

The Riverhead and Jamesport fire departments showed their support with their ladder trucks and draped a large American flag over the cemetery entrance. First responders dressed in their highest uniforms, and Riverhead police vehicles flashed their lights along the roadway. Those who attended waved their own American flags.

Air Force veteran John Maida of Coram, 69, made sure he was among those proudly waving the stars and stripes.

“I have many friends who are buried here, even some in-laws who are buried here, I had to come out and support,” Mr. Maida, who noted he too will be buried at Calverton National Cemetery. “I’m here, I don’t care how cold it is … I got my flag, and I’m going to stay here until it’s over with.” 

Photos by Ana Borruto below.

Mr. Maida enlisted at 17 and started basic training in 1975 as the Vietnam War was ending, serving for three years at bases in Oklahoma and Texas. He also worked at Calverton National Cemetery for four years — charged with interments and setting headstones. 

Brett Drost, who served out of Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton, attended the tribute with his wife and young daughter. He said it is important to honor the commitments and efforts made by veterans. 

“It takes a lot for somebody to sign on the dotted line and be willing to [serve] — you don’t take it lightly,” said Mr. Drost. “Whether the government’s running or not, they still have to keep stuff like this going because it’s for the citizens, it’s for the ones who served.”

Officials last week announced the funding lapse due to the government shutdown did not give the Calverton National Cemetery or its support committee enough time to prepare the grounds and secure the necessary resources to put on a proper ceremony on Tuesday. There has been reduced workforce at the cemetery as well, which has impacted grounds maintenance. 

After the news broke, many Facebook commenters expressed their disappointment and shared how they have family members buried in the cemetery. 

The ceremony was quickly cobbled together after John Morris, vice president of the Riverhead PBA, said he thought about the many PBA members who are veterans or still in active duty, and felt some kind of tribute still needed to happen despite the stalemate in Washington.

He called his fellow Riverhead Town police officer Kevin Thomas, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, to figure out how they would be able to organize a gathering in a short span of time.

“We reached out to Riverhead Fire Department and Jamesport Fire Department, and they immediately responded with overwhelming support,” Mr. Thomas said. “It was just good coordination and everyone was so willing to help, it made it easy.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the federal agency that operates Calverton National Cemetery. It is one of the largest, most active national cemeteries currently overseen by the National Cemetery Administration.

In an updated statement prior to the Riverhead PBA announcing its gathering, Cyndi Ventura, president of the Support Committee for Calverton National Cemetery, encouraged the community to still make alternative plans to pay respects to veterans.

“The Support Committee regrets the need to cancel the ceremony that had been planned for Veterans Day 2025. Our national cemeteries are shrines to our nation’s heroes and there is special meaning in holding these ceremonies on those sacred grounds,” wrote Ms. Ventura. “However, the most important thing to all of us is that Veterans receive the tributes they have earned through service and sacrifice.”

The Calverton National Cemetery’s annual Memorial Day ceremony is slated for May 25, 2026. 

The cemetery remains open to visitors during daylight hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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The gathering is on Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the main entrance of Calverton National Cemetery on Middle Country Road. Those who want to attend can bring American flags in support of veterans.

“We saw the news articles that the veterans ceremony was canceled due to the shutdown and it did not sit well with many of us,” said Riverhead PBA vice president John Morris, also noting a strong connection between police and the military. “Many of our members are veterans or still active duty at the 106th in Westhampton. This is a very informal way for the men and women of the Riverhead PBA to partner with the Riverhead and Jamesport Fire Departments to show our support,” he added.

Area fire departments are also participating and will be draping a flag over the roadway. Organizers instructed for all civilian vehicles to park on the north side and off of Middle Country Road. This will allow room for police and fire department apparatuses to set up on the south side of the road.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the federal agency that operates Calverton National Cemetery. It is one of the largest, most active national cemeteries currently overseen by the National Cemetery Administration.

The Calverton National Cemetery is still open to visitors during daylight hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The ongoing government shutdown has reduced workforce at the cemetery, which has impacted grounds maintenance.

In an updated statement, Cyndi Ventura, president of the Support Committee for National Calverton Cemetery, encouraged the community to still make alternative plans to pay respects to veterans.

“The Support Committee regrets the need to cancel the ceremony that had been planned for Veterans Day 2025. Our national cemeteries are shrines to our nation’s heroes and there is special meaning in holding these ceremonies on those sacred grounds,” wrote Ms. Ventura. “However, the most important thing to all of us is that Veterans receive the tributes they have earned through service and sacrifice.”

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“I think over the four years, it turns out to be a 14% increase,” said Councilman Tim Hubbard, a former town police officer.

“The contract was very generous to the PBA,” said Supervisor Yvette Aguiar. “It’s one of the most favorable on Long Island.”

Bill Rothaar, the town’s financial administrator, said the contract calls for a 6% increase in 2023, followed by three 2.5% increases for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026, which adds up to 13.5%. Compounding those numbers, and the 14% increase is accurate, he said.

The PBA covers officers and detectives.

“Our officers have been doing an exemplary job, and we need them to begin placing strategies in certain areas that we have seen a rising in crime,” Ms. Aguiar said.

The town has about 88 officers on its police force and it added eight new officers this year. 

“I think it was a fair contract,” Mr. Hubbard said. As is the case with the recent contract extension of the Civil Service Employees Association, the town’s employees were often paid less than those in other towns. 

Riverhead PBA president Charles Mauceri could not be reached for comment.

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