It started with a smile and a piece of gum from a kind U.S. soldier. Since then, Gina Lekstutis, Owner, Gina’s Flower Shoppe, has never forgotten to pay it forward to the fighting men and women who have served this great country.
With two locations in Islandia — one at Village of Islandia Commons, the other at the Hyatt Regency Long Island Hotel — Gina’s Flower Shoppe will donate wreaths for the Village of Islandia’s annual Memorial Day ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, May 23 at 10 a.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Triangle. The shop has also donated flowers for Veterans Day ceremonies and for funerals whenever a local war veteran passes away.
Ms. Lekstutis recalled that when she was a child in Taiwan (the Republic of China), she met an American soldier. He patted her head and, although she did not speak English, she can hear the kindness in his voice when he spoke to her. He also offered her a piece of chewing gum. It was this act of selflessness that she has since decided to “pay it forward” towards members of the military and everyone she meets.
“I had always remembered to ‘pay it forward’ when it comes to our veterans,” Ms. Lekstutis said. “It is important to honor those who fought for this wonderful country.”
“We are very proud to have a local business owner like Gina honor our veterans,” said Allan M. Dorman, Mayor, Village of Islandia. “The veteran’s organizations are grateful for her support and recognition of what they have done. We thank her for her support in helping to make our Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies special for our community.”
