Viana Hotel & Spa offering ceremony, honeymoon for veteran on Nov. 11
This Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, Westbury’s Viana Hotel & Spa is giving back to one lucky veteran in love.
In collaboration with the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, the Village of Westbury and the Westbury-Carle Place Chamber of Commerce, Viana, a recently constructed small luxury hotel featuring a number of green initiatives located at 3998 Brush Hollow Road, will host a complimentary wedding ceremony – and provide accommodations for a honeymoon – to one active duty or retired service member (who has been honorably discharged) living here in Nassau County.
“It’s a big event, there’s no doubt about it. We’re psyched about it,” Frank Frisone said, president of the Westbury-Carle Place Chamber of Commerce and store manager at TD Bank on Brush Hollow Road.
Frisone said Viana General Manager Nancy Lupo presented the idea to him over lunch when Frisone, whose bank neighbors the hotel, went to introduce himself after the Viana first opened in October 2011. Since that time, many local organizations and merchants have offered to be a part of the event.
“All the sponsors are giving from their business; the veteran is not really paying at all. We have a bunch of people that want to be involved, but we’re still looking for local merchants to donate whatever they can,” Frisone said, noting that planners are still looking for an organization willing to donate tuxedos and a wedding cake.
“A lot of people from the chamber are donating their services. Michele [Cacioppo] from Sir Speedy is doing the invitations, CPA services from Brian [Freidman], flowers from Joe [Reider] at San Giorgio and more,” Frisone said.
Any honorably discharged Nassau County veteran or active duty service member looking to tie the knot this upcoming Veteran’s Day must produce a copy of his or her DD214 if chosen. Applicants must write a description (100 words or less) by Sept. 24 noting why he or she should be chosen. The description should be mailed (postmarked no later than Sept. 24) to the Veterans Service Agency, Building Q, East Meadow, N.Y. 11554, Attention: Joseph N. Pascarella, Acting Director.
“The NCVA is really doing all the legwork. They sent out 1,000 letters to veteran organization and veterans that are back from Iraq over the last 30 days,” Frisone said.
Viana is a small luxury hotel and spa that houses green technology and has served the Westbury area since late 2011. The hotel said it would accommodate the chosen veteran with a guest list of up to 50 people, use of 10 overnight rooms, food and house drink choices and more. Local merchants will provide limousines, music and video services, favors, etc.
For further information, contact Joseph Pascarella at (516) 572-6512 or email jpascarella1@nassaucountyny.gov.
