Huntington Village – Supervisor Chad
A. Lupinacci, Councilman Ed Smyth and Town Historian Robert Hughes welcomed
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Edward P. Romaine; "One Life to Give"
executive producer, Leah Dunaief; co-producer and writer, Michael Tessler;
sponsor, John Tsunis, CEO of Gold Coast Bank; and local residents at the Nathan
Hale Memorial to announce the release of the film, a telling of the American
Revolution, through highlighting the life and death of “America’s First Spy,”
Nathan Hale.
“Although Hale was captured and
executed, his legacy did not end there – in fact, it had only just begun,” said
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci. “His sacrifice inspired thousands of Americans to
fight for our country’s independence in different ways, including the creation
of an espionage operation behind British lines on Long Island. Nathan Hale will
certainly be remembered for his patriotism, martyrdom, and his impact on a key
area of the Revolutionary War.”
“I hope this film continues to
foster an interest in Colonial American history and Nathan Hale specifically.
The North Shore of Long Island has a very rich history of great patriots,” said
Councilman Ed Smyth.
“Long Island played a major role in
the birth of our nation and brave men like Nathan Hale helped turn the tide in
Revolutionary War,” said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine. “I am proud to
represent to Town of Brookhaven, home of the legendary Culper Spy Ring, as we
honor those who risked their lives in the name of freedom and independence.”
The film debuts this Sunday, June
24, 7PM at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls
Road, Stony Brook and admission is free. It was directed by Benji Dunaief,
stars Long Islanders and it was shot on Long Island.
Nathan Hale, whom Huntington’s
“Halesite” hamlet was named after, was famously captured as a spy by British
forces and brought to New York City where he was hanged. His famous last words:
“My only regret is that I have but one life to lose for my country,” have been
etched in history and remain a point of extreme patriotism for many Long
Islanders and Americans.
In the photo (l-r): Huntington Town
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci; John Tsunis, CEO, Gold Coast Bank; (back) Town
Historian Robert Hughes; (front) Leah Dunaief, Executive Producer, "One
Life to Give;" Brookhaven Town Supervisor Edward P. Romaine; Huntington
Town Councilman Edmund J.M. Smyth; Michael Tessler, Co-Producer and Writer,
"One Life to Give;" characters in Revolutionary War-Era costume.
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