Tag Archives: Cradle of Aviation Museum

Garden City, New York, USA. April 1, 2023. Florida Governor RON DESANTIS speaks during event when the Nassau County GOP hosts the Gov. DeSantis program on The Florida Blueprint at the Cradle of Aviation, on Long Island. (© 2023 Ann Parry, fromlongisland.com) Feature photo of blog post

Florida is where FOLK go to die from guns, Ron DeSantis

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
April 5, 2023                      fLI OPINION

Nassau County GOP hosts Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis 

On April Fools Day, the Nassau County Republican Committee hosted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. 

DeSantis pitched his Florida Blueprint – politics to the right of Trump – to Long Island.

Scottish Festival at Old Westbury Gardens

Garden City, N.Y. USA. April 1, 2023. Trump supporters protest outside the Cradle of Aviation Museum before the event the Nassau County GOP hosts at CAM for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Before the event started, a few dozen protestors were waving colorful pro-Trump flags at cars passing near CAM’s entrance on Charles Lindberg Blvd.

For though the Long Island event was nominally a stop on the governor’s book tour, it was more importantly an unofficial campaign stop for his undeclared presidential candidacy.

So the Nassau County GOP clearly was no longer acting all in for Trump.

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At entrance to Cradle of Aviation Museum grounds, Trump supporters hold flags by large ‘Chinese Americans… for Trump’ banner during protest before start of event the Nassau County GOP hosts for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Tickets were free, and the first 300 attendees received a free copy of DeSantis’ new book ‘The Courage to be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival.’ 

VIDEO  – As Ron DeSantis speaks, protestor shouts “Trump” repeatedly:


Early in the event, Nassau County Republican chairman JOSEPH CAIRO introduced several GOP leaders sitting in the VIP section.

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

At right, former Rep. PETE KING (R-Seaford) waves to audience when The Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. Other GOP notables include, at front far left, former U.S. Sen. AL D’AMATO (R-NY), and, left of King & wearing red tie, Rep. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO (R-Island Park.) (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Prominent Republicans politicians who stood up included Rep. PETE KING (R-Seaford), who attended with his wife Rosemary Weidl; former Sen. AL D’AMATO (R-NY)), who sat with his ex-wife Katuria D’Amato and their two children; and Rep. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO (R-Island Park).

Cairo then introduced each speaker, including Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN, former Rep. LEE ZELDIN (R-N.Y.), and, finally, FLA Gov. RON DESANTIS.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At left Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN speaks energetically at podium, as Nassau County Republican chairman JOSEPH CAIRO looks on, during event when Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

former Rep. Lee Zeldin:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Former Rep. LEE ZELDIN(R-Shirley), the 2022 Republican candidate for N.Y. governor, speaks during event when Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– Gov. DeSantis Event –

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Woman in audience holds ‘The Courage to Be Free,’ a book by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Nassau County GOP hosted the Gov. DeSantis program on The Florida Blueprint. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Gov. Ron DeSantis:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Florida Governor RON DESANTISspeaks during event when the Nassau County GOP hosts the Gov. DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

While speaking at the podium, Gov. DeSantis commented about the U.S. Navy F11A Tiger jet suspended overhead and how he had served in the Navy.

While earning his law degree from Harvard University, DeSantis joined the U.S. Navy in 2004, and from then to 2010 was a naval officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps. JAGS are attorneys with knowledge of civilian and military law. 

NAVY jet above former NAVY JAG DeSantis:

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. A Grumman F-11A Tiger jet is suspended in the Cradle of Aviation Museum atrium, where Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis event. Nose of jet was over stage. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

DeSantis made many comparisons between Florida and New York, and between Florida and the U.S. government.

An aside: DeSantis said so much he meant as unflattering about New York that I wondered how it struck his hosts. 

NO STATE INCOME TAX – The governor said how Florida, unlike New York, has no state income tax, and how his state has the warmer weather, though no mention was made of his state’s growing hurricane season. And he stressed in how [once COVID increased workers’ opportunity to work from home] the biggest increase in U.S. migration to Florida has come from New York recently. 

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. The Nassau County GOP hosts the Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis program on The Florida Blueprint at the Cradle of Aviation. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

CULTURE WARS – Abortion, Education, COVID 19, LGBTQ Rights, Gun Safety….

But it was Opposite Day when Gov. DeSantis presented ways his Trumpian conservative brand of anti-woke CULTURE WARS supposedly is making Florida free. For example:

‘Don’t Say Gay’ law

The governor portrayed his authoritarian approach to what Florida’s schools aren’t allowed to say and do as somehow increasing freedom. 

Florida is where folk go to die from guns   cdc.gov states map 

DeSantis continued to claim Florida has lax gun safety regulations because largely unfettered gun rights are constitutionally guaranteed by the Second Amendment. 

And those regulations are getting even laxer.

On April 3rd, at a non-public event two days after he spoke on Long Island, DeSantis signed legislation allowing residents to carry a concealed loaded weapon without a permit anywhere in the state. 

“Gov Ron DeSantis; Trump flags

Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. At left, ALEX KRAEMER, from NEWSMAX, interviews young man holding ‘The Courage to Be Free,’ a book by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump supporter is at far right. The Nassau County GOP hosted the Gov. DeSantis event. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Second Amendment, ratified in 1791:
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.”

DeSantis’ approach to gun safety makes solid sense, as long as one ignores a few things:

1) The first half of the amendment, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,” states the reason for giving the rights is in order to maintain a well regulated Militia. How is that related to a person owning assault rifles, carrying concealed weapons without permits…?

2) In 1791 “Arms” referred to handguns or long guns that could hold one shot at a time.

3) Florida’s rate of deaths due to gunfire is about 3X that of New York, which has significantly stronger gun safety regulation. cdc.gov states map 

with faint praise:

Though Ron DeSantis isn’t quite as big a danger to America as insurrectionist Donald Trump is, the United States of America needs far better than either.

Thankfully, they won’t be our only candidates, Republican or otherwise, for president in 2024.


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post) Garden City, N.Y., USA. April 1, 2023. Florida Governor RON DESANTIS speaks during event when the Nassau County GOP hosts his program on The Florida Blueprint, at the Cradle of Aviation on Long Island. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) 


Gov. Ron DeSantis event on Long Island: my PHOTO GALLERY

Everytown for Gun Safety

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

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Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A boy points to one of the model trains traveling on the Long Island Garden Railway Society display in the atrium of the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

Model Trains Now & Then at Cradle of Aviation Museum

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 31, 2022

‘When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.’ – Max Planck (1858-1947)

Long Island Garden Railway Society holiday displays

At the Cradle of Aviation Museum this December 26th, I enjoyed capturing photos of the Long Island Garden Railway Society’s display for the winter holidays, as I did 10 years ago on December 26, 2012.

• 2012:  

model trains at cam

Dec. 26, 2012. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. – The Long Island Garden Railway Society large-scale model train display surrounds a large decorated tree during winter holidays at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Grumman Blue Angels F-11 Tiger jet is suspended from ceiling. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Though the 2012 and 2022 model train displays I covered were by the same large scale model train organization, LIGRS, at the same museum, CAM, there were also differences – including in my photography equipment, experience, goals, and the COVID-19 impact.

• 2012:  

model trains at cam

Dec. 26, 2012 – Garden City, New York, U.S.  G scale New York Central engine passes by the carousel in the carnival theme section of the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Photography Equipment

When covering the event in 2012, I used my Nikon D74 DSLR full-frame camera, with a zoom lens, the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lG ED – arguably the best prime lens, to use as a sole lens, to cover such an event.

A few days ago, I used my Nikon Z9 mirrorless full-frame camera with a macro lens, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S – an outstanding lens to capture macro, closeup photos of small subjects such as model trains.

This year, had my goal been covering the event and location thoroughly, I would’ve also used a second lens- for example, my Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 A prime lens or my iPhone Pro. My goal was to work on capturing the best photos possible with my macro lens.

• 2012:  

model trains at cam

Dec. 26, 2012 – Garden City, New York, U.S. This young boy came with his family to see the Long Island Garden Railway Society display in atrium of the Cradle of Aviation Museum. A member of LIGRS is in the center area, available to answer visitors’ questions. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Experience with Place & Subject

The Cradle of Aviation Museum is the Long Island museum I’ve photographed the longest and most often. For over a decade, I’ve loved photographing a wide variety of locations there, repeatedly, from morning to to dusk and night.

And over the past ten years I’ve covered model train events at several places and by several passionate organizations on Long Island, often more than once.  

This year, after covering the atrium ground floor display, I asked myself, ‘Time to walk up the stairs to cover this from the upper levels?’ and answered, ‘Not really.’

• 2022:  

Garden City, NY, U.S. December 26, 2022.

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A young woman G scale model train figure stands next to a classic red pickup truck with ‘Coca-Cola’ on door at the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

COVID-19 impact

The model train display looked a bit toned down this year.

It’s been years since spring 2020 when New York became an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce one’s risk of being hospitalized or worse due to the virus. Wearing N95 or KN95 masks significantly reduces the chance of transmitting or getting COVID-19.

But many of Long Island’s museums and clubs are still negatively impacted by COVID-19 – with lower average rates of attendance and participation.

• 2022:  

Garden City, NY, U.S. December 26, 2022.

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A bright yellow Denver & Rio Grande Western Passenger Coach G scale car is in the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

2022 side view of train in Feature Photo:

Garden City, NY, U.S. December 26, 2022.

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A 1931 American Locomotive Company Superheater, seen here in closeup, is part of he Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

About LIGRS’ display:

G scale model trains circle the large festive tree in CAM’s atrium. They pass through many themed areas, including an old-fashioned drive-in theater and a train station.

It’s no surprise the Long Island Garden Railway Society choose G scale, which is both the largest scale model train (ratio of 1:22.5) and most popular outdoor scale model train. 

The large size, durability, and ruggedness of G scale model trains make them ideal for large indoor areas, and for outdoors – even in the snow!

• 2022:  

Garden City, NY, U.S. December 26, 2022.

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A Santa Claus G scale model train figure rings a bell as he stands next to an antique car at the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)


FEATURE PHOTO (at top): Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A young boy points to a model train traveling around the Long Island Garden Railway Society display of model trains at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. 


Year round at Cradle of Aviation Museum:

Along with special exhibits and events, the air & space museum has the jetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium and world class permanent exhibits – many with historic Long Island roots.

Cradle of Aviation StoreBefore leaving CAM this week, I went to the Museum Store and bought my toddler grandson a couple of souvenirs: an adorable pilot’s hat and plush toy version of the genuine U.S. Navy Grumman F11 Tiger Jet suspended from the atrium.


my CAM Model Trains galleries: 2012 photos • 2022 photos

Long Island Garden Railway Society:  ligrs.clubmembership form

Cradle of Aviation Museum

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