When the Riverhead Police Benevolent Association heard that Calverton National Cemetery’s Veterans Day ceremony would be canceled due to the government shutdown, they decided to invite the public to bring American flags and honor military veterans at the main entrance of the cemetery.

“I wish I could enlist again, but I’m 69 years old, so I’m going to stand out here with my flag and just wave,” said John Maida, a U.S. Air Force veteran, who lives in Coram.

Maida said he’s standing with his cane to support his military brothers at the Riverhead PBA’s Veterans Day tribute outside the cemetery.

The tribute also included the Riverhead and Jamesport fire departments and Suffolk County police.

“I know there’s a number of people that were disappointed that the ceremony was canceled,” said John Morris, vice president of Riverhead PBA.

Phil Piegari, of Jamesport, said, “I find it to be a total disgrace for veterans, not being able to get the honor that they deserve today.”

Calverton National Cemetery cited the lapse in federal funding for having to cancel this year’s ceremony. In a Facebook post, the cemetery said, in part, “We will continue to express our heartfelt gratitude to our nation’s veterans for their service and sacrifice every day in every way we can.”

The Riverhead PBA said they have never held anything quite like this before, but it had to be done.

“It’s important to me on a personal level,” said Morris. “Both my grandparents are buried here. My father is a veteran from the Vietnam War, and we probably have about 18 of our 100 Riverhead police officers are either active duty or veterans.”

Despite the government shutdown, the cemetery is open to visitors seven days a week during daylight hours.