Note to listeners, this episode contains graphic depictions of events on September 11th, 2001, and one offensive word.
By Richard Acritelli
Mel M. Cohen has lived a life of service that continues to this very day. He was born in Kew Gardens, Queens, in 1948 and moved to Levittown with his family several years later. Cohen enjoyed working around cars as a young man and considered himself a “motor-head.” Riding on his bike, Cohen delivered magazines and worked in the deli department at Waldbaum’s.Cohen had much in common with many of the other kids since this suburban area was mostly built by using the GI Bill for returning veterans of World War II. Many of the fathers who saw each other at the stores, schools and baseball fields, were also veterans who fought for America within the European and Pacific theaters of operations. One month after the June 6, 1944, landings, Cohen’s father Robert was a private first class in the 380th Construction Signal Battalion. For the rest of that war, the senior Cohen ran communication wiring to support the aggressive strength of the army that pushed into German territory.
During his senior year in high school, Cohen kept a watchful eye on the Vietnam War, as many of the young men from this sprawling suburb were drafted into the military. His brother Gerald was a member of the 101st Airborne and he instructed Cohen not to wait for the draft. Two days after graduating high school, Cohen enlisted into the United States Air Force. Completing his basic and advanced individual training in Texas, this future police officer became a member of the security forces.
As a young man, Cohen was deployed to a secret military base in Taiwan to guard F-100 Super Sabres and F-4 Phantoms. These military planes were loaded with nuclear weapons that could be flown in seven minutes to hit the Chinese mainland. Cohen was sent as a member of the security forces to guard these powerful aircraft. During the height of the Vietnam War, the United States was concerned about the strength of the Chinese to possibly take over the island nation.
Over the span of two major wars, the Cohen family greatly sacrificed toward the defense of America. First, with his father’s experience during World War II and then through the service of his older brother, Gerald. Cohen looked up to this sibling who was a hardened platoon sergeant in Vietnam and specialized in handling light weapons infantry. With two weeks left on his tour, Gerald, a member of the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, C Company was killed by a sniper in the field on April 21, 1968.
For Cohen, it seemed like yesterday that his beloved brother was lost fighting for this nation in Vietnam. For the rest of his life, Cohen has helped others in honor of Gerald.
By 1953, Levittown had 70,000 residents, and it emerged as one of the largest suburban townships in America. The president of the Suffolk County Vietnam Veterans Chapter 11, Richard Kitson, grew up in Levittown, and he attended MacArthur High School. His father’s story was similar to Cohen’s, through their veterans affairs activities over the last several decades, they have become best friends. They were both from Gold Star families, as Kitson served in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam as a mortarman, and when he came home from this war, his brother John Francis entered the military.
Richard’s brother John Kitson was a machine gunner in a weapons platoon of the Marine Corps. John was killed in combat in Vietnam in 1969. Whereas Cohen and Kitson met several years later, at a Vietnam War memorial at a library in Levittown, their brothers’ names are two spaces away from each other. Every day, both veterans speak to each other in the morning, on their way home from work, and they meet for breakfast on Saturdays.
Kitson fondly looks at this relationship and states, “We are best friends, as we both lost a brother to this war, and we were Gold Star families who heavily suffered from this loss. Cohen, for almost his entire life. has been a ‘Veteran’s Veteran,’ who always expects to help others.” Both men, along with their good friend Clarence Simpson, wore their “green jackets” and flashed brilliant smiles as they were recognized by Rep. Nick LaLotta (R-NY1) for outstanding veteran achievement for this community and nation.
Grieving over the loss of his brother, Cohen served the rest of his air force time guarding B-52 Bombers at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) base in Plattsburg, New York. Vividly recalling the brutal cold weather during guard duty, after four years of service, Cohen looked forward to leaving the military in 1970. Using the GI Bill, Cohen attended Farmingdale State College for his associate degree, earned his bachelor’s degree in behavioral science at New York Institute of Technology and gained a master’s degree in criminal justice at C. W. Post. Taking several police exams, Cohen was hired at Rochester as an officer for a year, gained experience, and quickly took a job closer to home as an Amityville town police officer. By 1972, Cohen was hired by the Suffolk County Police Department, where he spent the bulk of his law enforcement career until his retirement in 2003. For three decades, Cohen held a myriad of jobs that included working in Babylon for the 1st Squad and for the District Attorney’s Office.
A well-rounded law enforcement figure, Cohen liked dealing with crimes and incidents that dealt with automobiles. He became a specialist within these matters and received training from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Quantico, Virginia. He was also sent to the Ford Motor Company and Harley Davidson to learn about the construction of these vehicles and how to determine ownership from theft and fire. For over 20 years, this respected detective was counted upon to solve many automotive dilemmas.
Mike Conlon, a member of law enforcement and a longtime guidance counselor at Rocky Point High School, worked closely with Cohen. Conlon said, “This seasoned detective was highly respected within this field and the tactics that he used to solve these crimes was extremely impressive. Cohen was one of the most well-versed police officers to handle these types of unique situations.”
Since he retired, Cohen has been one of the most active advocates of veterans affairs on Long Island and New York State. With Ralph Zanchelli, he helped establish a program for incarcerated veterans to help put them on the right path. They counsel veterans who are suffering from alcohol and drug abuse and are still inflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder. Cohen is pleased with this program’s important results over the last several years in trying to find jobs, housing and medical assistance for these veterans who have fallen on hard times.
Every Memorial Day at Bald Hill in Holtsville, Cohen along with Kitson and other members of the Suffolk County Chapter of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 11 hold a major ceremony. After attending the program at Calverton National Cemetery, they read the 256 names of Suffolk County veterans who were killed during the Vietnam War. This tradition has been done every year since 1991 by this local chapter of Vietnam veterans. Cohen, Kitson, Clarence Simpson, the members of this special veterans organization all come from different ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. They are “Brothers in Arms” who demonstrate on a regular basis, that this melting pot of different origins has unitedly worked together for the betterment of the past, present and future veterans affairs needs.
For 10 years, Cohen organized breakfast for local Gold Star families at the Marriott Hotel in Hauppauge. Always next to him was Kitson, as both men use their sensitive experiences in how to assist other families who have lost members defending the United States. After World War I, President Woodrow Wilson supported the recognition of families, especially mothers who lost loved ones in uniform. Many people do not realize that living among our citizens are families that have suffered over the agonizing loss of members of the armed forces. It has been estimated that since 9/11/01 more than 16,000 veterans have died in noncombat circumstances, this number far surpassed the 7,000 Americans who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cohen has played a vital role in providing counseling to these grieving families and advocating to ensure that they are not forgotten by our local, state and federal levels of government.
Cohen has been a key member with Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America. This is one of the oldest veteran’s organizations in this country that was chartered by Congress in 1896 that was originally based out of Manhattan. Cohen is currently the post commander for the Colonel Mickey Marcus Jewish War Veterans Post in Centereach. This year, Suffolk County Leg. Chad Lennon (R-Mount Sinai) recognized Cohen as the Man of the Year for the Jewish American Heritage Month.
Cohen ensures the mission of this organization to always help local veterans and to oppose the rise of antisemitism. Cohen, as the New York State action officer, investigates hatred against Jewish people in this state and nation.
And through all these numerous endeavors, Cohen is also an important member of Rocky Point VFW Post 6249. Always wanting to help with the many activities of this extremely busy veteran’s organization, its commander, Joseph A. Cognitore, is pleased to have the experience of this productive citizen. Cognitore stated, “His determination to always help our local and national veterans never stops. He is a true gentleman who has a wealth of knowledge that has been truly amazing to witness over the last several decades. We are proud to have the presence of Cohen at Post 6249, where he is one of the finest patriots that I have ever worked with within Veterans Affairs.”
Cohen is on the committee for the Veterans Day program that is held at Calverton National Cemetery. He meets once a month to help with the Wreaths Across America program, organizes speakers and the several groups of veterans organizations that will attend this important event. With Cognitore, Cohen is on the Advisory Board for the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook to oversee the care of veterans, the number of beds, services and the medical qualifications for this staff.
Kitson said about his good friend, “Cohen is a special person who on a regular basis has made this area extremely proud of his devotion to demonstrate an unyielding presence to always extend a helping hand to a veteran.”
By Christopher Schulz
Three members of the USA Patriots softball team — formerly known as the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team — visited patients at the St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson Friday morning, June 14. The group initially met in the hospital’s recreational center before proceeding to meet the patients.
The softball players, Josh Wege, Jeffrey Hackett and Brian Gentilotti, shared their stories with the approximately 30 staff members and 10 patients.
Wege said he lost both his legs fighting in Afghanistan as a Marine in 2009. The military vehicle he was riding in hit a bomb that “turned into a landmine” which “traumatically amputated [his] right leg” and mangled his left leg. He now has two prosthetics in place of his lower legs.
Despite his traumatic injury, Wege keeps pushing forward.
“The biggest motivator I would say is to get my life back,” he said. “There are some things that you feel like are just taken away from you”. He later added that he “felt broken” inside that he did not have the same agility and speed he once had as a star athlete.
“You don’t want to feel broken so you start chasing the life that you had,” he said.
Hackett, on the other hand, pushes forward every day for his family. After losing his left leg, “I still wanted to stay in the Army so that pushed me to get back to a normal life,” he said.
In addition, Hackett expressed his respect toward the patients. “They all have their own story. It’s all about making goals and taking that step further,” he said.
One such patient, Shawn Coyle, does not need prosthetics but is in need of a wheelchair at all times. He has avascular necrosis affecting both hips. Coyle says he was diagnosed with the condition six months ago but has only been in the hospital for a couple weeks now.
He has already had surgery on one of his hips. The surgery for his other hip will happen in a few months. When asked about how he felt about the softball players coming, he jokingly responded that he wanted to play with them.
“I like softball,” Coyle simply stated. He also found it “inspiring” to see them and would love to play again his own sports — basketball and baseball — someday. “It’s a process but you’ve got to just keep working at it,” he said. “I feel like they’re like regular people,” referring to the players.
Both Wege and Hackett expressed their desire to come back to St. Charles Hospital or any other hospital to visit and support people who are in the same position they were once in.
“You either stay where you’re at or you just keep inching forward every day and try to get your life back. We like to give that message to people and even talk to kids in schools because they’re curious and they have never met a wounded warrior before, [especially] at the state that we’re at,” Wege said.
“This is stuff we like to do,” Hackett agreed.
The Long Island State Veterans Home commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion with a special service and the presentation of Proclamations of Meritorious Achievement to two Normandy Invasion veterans on June 6.
New York State and Suffolk County awarded Proclamations of Meritorious Achievement to 100-year-old U.S. Army veteran Frank Agoglia and 102-year-old U.S. Army Air Corps veteran David Wolman, both residents of the Long Island State Veterans Home.
Agoglia, who landed his glider in Ste. Mere Eglise, France, behind German defenses, and Wolman, who worked 72 hours straight as an air traffic controller during the Normandy invasion, were recognized for their heroic service during D-Day and Operation Overlord.
A candle-lighting ceremony honored the 150,000 Allied troops who landed on the beaches of Normandy, all service members who served during World War II, the 41 million men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of freedom, the more than 600,000 members of the armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and the current 2 million members of the
“For over 33 years, the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University has had the honor and privilege to have cared for this special generation of veterans,” Executive Director Fred Sganga said. “We will never forget the service and selfless sacrifice of so many soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen. Today, we thank all of our World War II veterans for their fortitude and perseverance eighty years ago – for answering the call, in order to make the world a safer place. World War II veterans set high standards for bravery and courage and passed the baton to later generations of servicemen and servicewomen, who met the challenge by continuing to defend America and her allies around the world to this day.”
By Christopher Schulz
It was a day of reflection and honor across the nation.
The VFW 4927 in Port Jefferson Station hosted a D-Day remembrance event on Thursday, June 6, to commemorate the veterans who fought at Normandy on June 6, 1944, a date that saw more than 2,500 American soldiers fall.
“There were about 250 [soldiers] in the first wave, less than 90 survived,” Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright solemnly noted. “In some cases, the gate of the LSD [Landing Ship Dock] would drop and a machine gun high up on the cliff would cut down everyone who tried to come out.”
More than 100 attendees, including Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow, were present at the event. Most were descendants or relatives of World War II veterans.
Only one veteran, 97-year-old Thomas Vicale, attended. He was accompanied by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The nearly two-hour event included several speeches and tributes as well as an honorary three-minute march by five soldiers around the audience. The march was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
The climax of the service was an eight-gun salute and the unveiling of two bronze plaques listing more than 50 American soldiers who fought and survived the war – according to the plaque, these soldiers all had served and returned and worked in some capacity for Thomas Wilson & Co. Inc.
The reveal of the plaques was met with loud cheers and applause.
“[The soldiers] saw the beginning of the freedom of the European continent and ultimately the continuation of this experiment of freedom that is the United States of America,” Englebright remarked. “It seems that we have not forgotten [this day because] you’re here. That is so moving for me.”
In her short speech, Sheprow expressed her utmost gratitude and respect for the veterans and condolences to those who lost their lives during the beach landing.
Ira Costell, president of the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association, called the event “special.” He also recognized some families in attendance who made the day possible and whose loved ones were on the plaque.
“Their presence here today is like what it was back then. It’s that we carry on this tradition, that their sacrifices led to this amazing, generational commitment to our country and our people,” Costell said.
Another artifact of the service was a collage of 20 tangible registration cards from some of the soldiers listed on the plaque. Most of the soldiers listed on the plaque were residents of the Setauket or Port Jefferson Station area at the time of the war. According to Costell, the others resided in either New York City or Rhode Island.
At the end of the ceremony, families took time to take photographs and interact with each other.
Costell said he would be “remiss” if he didn’t acknowledge “the courage and bravery” the soldiers displayed on D-Day and expressed gratitude for their service.
By Rich Acritelli
Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day, which remembers all of those service members who were lost for the defense of America. It was created after the Civil War as Decoration Day to honor the lost Americans from both sides of this terrible conflict. Whereas our citizens fought in additional wars, it was originally recognized on every May 30, but it was changed in 1971 for the last Monday of May. As Americans will surely enjoy the warmer weather, this is a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day.
Many of these memories are on display at the exhibit picture Wall of Honor at the VFW Post 6249 Suffolk County World War II and Military History Museum. There are a multitude of different pictures and military experiences from our local veterans.
Frank Asselta
Rocky Point native Frank Asselta was taught by Joseph Edgar and enjoyed playing soccer, basketball and baseball. Graduating from Port Jefferson High School in 1963, Asselta attended Suffolk County Community College to earn his associates degree. In 1965, directly after graduation, he was drafted into the Army and attended basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. By 1966, he was deployed to South Vietnam as an infantry combat medic and he observed the massive escalation of this war to oppose the strength of the North Vietnamese Army and the Vietcong. Asselta was wounded in combat and he received the Bronze Star for his duel capacities of fighting the enemy and treating his own men under the duress of warfare.
Exposed to graphic warfare that resulted in fighting that never left him for the rest of his life, Asselta suffers from PTSD that he has managed for his entire adult life. This Sunday, May 26, Asselta is the driving force behind the annual VFW Post 6249 PTSD 5K Race at Rocky Point High School at 11 a.m. Asselta believes “all members of the Armed Forces who have been in combat need to be properly supported by our citizens. This run is a reminder to take care of all veterans who battle the difficulties of PTSD and I am proud of this mission to never forget about those veterans who are forced to deal with this condition.” The post’s Cmdr. Joe Cognitore marvels at the “immense energy” that Asselta displays on a daily basis to ensure the success of this race to care for our local veterans.
Charles Pisano
Another infantry combat medic was a physical kid from Smithtown who was an extremely talented wrestler within Suffolk County and New York state. Charles Pisano was sent to South Vietnam and saw the powerful enemy buildup and their battlefield presence from 1968-69. He is one of the highest decorated medics to have served during the Vietnam War for the U.S. Army. Pisano for his immense time in the field was awarded the Combat Medic Badge, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Army Air Medal for 50 missions in the field, two Bronze Stars for Valor, the Silver Star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for continually saving wounded American soldiers.
During every Memorial Day, Pisano’s prayers are always for those comrades who were killed from the Vietnam War. His daughter Jamie, a social studies and special education teacher at Rocky Point High School, recalls that “from a young age, my dad always made sure I understood how important Memorial Day was to honor our soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for America.” This family has devotedly assisted guide dogs who help blind veterans and those that are suffering from PTSD.
Nicholas LoRusso
Graduating Rocky Point High School in 2003, Nicholas LoRusso was a captain of the lacrosse team and a talented wrestler. He is one of four brothers to have attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In January, LoRusso, a military combat engineer, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and he has been in the active army for 17 years. He is married to Tricia with two kids, Madison and Cole, and has moved eight times during his career. LoRusso served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and taught at West Point.
During the height of the War on Terror, LoRusso vividly recalled his time in uniform, “I have classmates that were killed in combat within the first 12 to 18 months of service after we graduated. I served in units that have lost people. Ramp ceremonies on Bagram Airfield and memorials on combat outposts and forward operating bases in the mountains of Afghanistan are burned in my memory. I get to see, hug, laugh and share moments with my family and friends, and those we remember on Memorial Day are unable to do so. There are children, mothers, fathers and siblings missing a piece of them. Mine are not. These are things I think about on Memorial Day and it makes me cherish what I have. Those we remember on Memorial Day stood up, said ‘Send me,’ and unfortunately didn’t come back. I am honored to have served among these brave and selfless people and I hope the service I have continued in the military and the life I am living is worthy of the lives they gave up for our nation.”
Kevin LoRusso
The LoRussos represent the multitude of American families who have sent many family members abroad. Kevin LoRusso was an artillery officer who was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, where he fought in Mazār-e Sharīf. Like his older brother, he reflects on friends that he served with and recognizes Memorial Day as “a time I remember West Point classmates that have paid the sheer sacrifice while protecting this nation. Recently, a good friend Steve Dwyer was my lacrosse teammate at the West Point Preparatory School. He was a helicopter pilot who was killed with his crew on a training mission, leaving behind his wife and three young boys. As I spend time with my friends and family, I will be fondly thinking about my military friends who are no longer with us today.”
Gregory Monz
An all-around good kid who graduated from Rocky Point in 2005, Gregory Monz was a tough kid who was the first All-County football player for this high school. Before shipping out, Monz could be seen carrying a full ruck sack of rocks to prepare for his training. He descends from a family that has supported the defense of America over the last several decades and continued this military tradition during the height of the War on Terror.
A corrections officer, Monz is married with a growing family of his own. He believes “Memorial Day for myself is exactly what this day is supposed to be about — remembering. I want to instill the same respect for our fallen warriors to my sons as my parents have taught me. I take my four sons to Calverton National Cemetery to help place American flags at every headstone. As a veteran, Memorial Day is a quiet day for myself. Many thoughts replay a bit more about my brothers I served with, not only about those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, but also the ones who could not move on stateside. To this date I have lost more Marines to PTSD than overseas. We must do better and we also must remember them.”
Never forget
May this nation never forget about those lost veterans from all national defense conflicts and situations. Thank you to those current Armed Forces members who still operate in harm’s way that are determined to support this nation on Memorial Day. And may we always show appreciation to those current veterans who are out of uniform that have made our people proud of their services to support the citizens and ideals of this great country.
By Sofia Febles
New York City firehouse. The space resembles the home of a firefighter — from the hook door handle when you first walk in, to the model fire trucks and family photos from first-time restaurant owner Joseph DiBernardo’s personal memorabilia.
The building now occupied by the Firehouse has been home to a restaurant for many years. It was first called Boyle’s, then Shorty’s and for years it’s been known as the Hartlin Inn. For nearly three years, the local community has been left wondering what will take Hartlin Inn’s place. Now the DiBernardos have brought it back to life, in their late son FDNY Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo’s honor.
The owners of the restaurant, Joe and Barbara DiBernardo opened this restaurant in memory of their son, Joey, who came from a long line of firefighters, including his dad.
When Joey was young, he would create and play with firefighter sets. Joey would help his dad in a Brooklyn firehouse, being part of his first real fire at the age of 10. When Joey turned 18 he became a fire alarm dispatcher on Long Island.
Joey went on to work at the World Trade Center for nearly six months in the rescue and recovery operation. He was one of the people who founded the Town of Brookhaven Technical Rescue Task Force and was one of the first team leaders.
In 2005, he was called to an apartment fire in the Bronx — a day known as Black Sunday, when three firefighters died including Joey.
Trapped on the top floor in a backdraft, he was forced to jump out of the window five stories above the ground. From his plunge, Joey landed in a courtyard, breaking many of his bones from the waist down, and would eventually experience respiratory arrest and then a coma.
On Nov. 22, 2011, Joey passed away as a result of injuries sustained from his heroic efforts on Black Sunday. He was awarded the IAFF Medal of Honor, the New York City Medal of Supreme Sacrifice and the FDNY Medal of Valor.
In 2013 the “Joey D” foundation was created by the father and Joey’s friends in honor of the fallen firefighter. The foundation provides personal safety ropes to fire departments throughout the United States. It is run strictly by volunteers, mostly Joey’s friends. The foundation’s goal is that no firefighter dies because of lack of safety ropes. Joey’s father hopes that the foundation will continue even when he is gone.
The opening of the Firehouse Restaurant & Bar for the DiBernardos was an important event in celebration of their son. “I want my customers to know and understand Joey’s story, and I want Joey to live on in perpetuity through this restaurant,” Joe said. “This restaurant is like a family, surrounded with the best people.”
On the menu is a variety of sandwiches, wraps, flatbreads, burgers and “firehouse favorites.” “The ‘big pretzel’ and meatball appetizers are guest favorites,” Joe said.
“I went for lunch with my husband two weeks ago, we found everything great,” said Ruth McDowell of Port Jefferson Station. “He had the fish and chips, I had French onion soup and a BLT. Perfect balance of everything. Even the coffee was delicious. We will be back.”
The bar section has been refurbished beautifully and is often filled with locals who enjoy happy hour and beyond.
On Saturday, May 4, several elected officials hosted a pancake breakfast to honor the service of local veterans. The first annual pancake breakfast took place at the VFW Post 3054.
The program began with an opening prayer by Chaplin Michael Russell, who was followed by Chaplin David Mann, singing a beautiful rendition of the national anthem.
The highlight of the gathering was the moment Sen. Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), Assemblyman Ed Flood (R,C-Port Jefferson) and Leg. Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) presented staff Sgt. Michael E. Russell with a state proclamation acknowledging his service and dedication to his community.
Michael Russell was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Toms River, New Jersey. He was enlisted in the United Air Force from 1966-1970 and served in Vietnam from 1968-1969. Upon his return to the United States, Russell was employed with the Federal Aviation Administration from 1970-1981 until he left there and spent the remainder of his career as Managing Director and Senior Vice President of merged Wall Street firms.
For his service, Russell received two bronze stars and a purple heart.
Throughout his life in the private sector, Russell continued to serve his fellow man. He was a member of the NYS small business administration and the MTA Capital Review Board.
He was commissioner of New York State Cable TV Commission, special assistant to NYS Senate Majority Leader Ralph Marino, a trustee on the SUNY Board of Trustees, the chair of the Committee of SUNY Hospitals and the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council.
Russell also served as a member of the Committee of SUNY Community Colleges, the Committee of Finance and Investments, Committee of Athletics and Four-Year Schools, Committee on Charter Schools, and a member of the Board of Trustees at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital.
Russell is a founding member of Jefferson’s Ferry Continuous Care Facility and was chair of the Transition Team for Suffolk County District Attorney James M. Catterson and a member of the Transition Team for Suffolk County Executive Robert Gaffney.
Russell is married to his wife Barbara Russell and they have three children and six grandchildren.
By Rich Acritelli
On March 29, 51 years after the last American troops were withdrawn from South Vietnam and the acknowledged prisoners of war were released by Hanoi, the war officially ended.
The Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University held a symbolic Remembrance Day for Vietnam War residents, family members and local veteran organizations. After a special invocation by Rabbi Joseph Topek and the presentation of the colors by Rocky Point VFW Post 6249, the packed audience remained on their feet for The Star-Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Patriotism was personified by longtime Executive Director Fred Sganga who has cared for many veterans since 9/11 as he presented a hearty “Welcome Home.”
In 1975, two years after American troops pulled out, South Vietnam was finally defeated by the communist regime in North Vietnam. Today there are an estimated 610,000 living Vietnam War veterans who arrived home originally to open hostility toward their military efforts. This generation of veterans faced over 58,000 killed and there are over 1,500 missing in action from this war.
On May 28, 2012, during a Memorial Day ceremony, President Barack Obama (D) mandated the National Vietnam War Veterans Day and in 2017 President Donald Trump (R) signed it into a federally recognized moment to fully honor Vietnam veterans.
Many local Vietnam veterans were in attendance to help honor their comrades.
Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) from the 4th Legislative District spoke about the military experiences of his family in numerous conflicts. As a chairman of the Suffolk County Veterans Committee, he identified the devotion of these local veterans who served in Vietnam and their generous efforts to support veterans’ causes.
Since 9/11, groups like VFW Post 6249 in Rocky Point and the Suffolk County Chapter of Vietnam Veterans have aided War on Terror veterans at home and overseas. They have organized Wounded Warrior golf outings, PTSD 5K runs, provided their posts for family military reunions, speaking at schools and have created patriotic memorials.
As Suffolk contains the largest number of veterans in New York state and the second largest in the United States, their goal is to provide significant support toward our many local armed forces members.
A Marine Corps major who is a decorated Purple Heart recipient and a current reservist is 6th District county Legislator Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point). He echoed the feelings of Caracappa and fully recognized the sacrifices in South Vietnam. Lennon identified the shameful treatment of these veterans and said, “This generation of veterans, not only fought battles in Vietnam but also at home. They were spat on and discarded as less than other Americans. However, they took those experiences and made changes that allowed future generations to be properly welcomed home.”
A resident of Port Jefferson Station, and now Bayport, military advocate Richard Kitson spoke about the two wars that Vietnam veterans faced overseas and at home. After this Marine Corps mortarman returned home to Levittown, his younger brother John at 19 years old enlisted into the Marines and was killed in action in South Vietnam.
Understanding the early national, local and family heartache that is still felt by many of these veterans, Kitson spoke about the Vietnam veterans who served 240 days in the field, one out of 10 were casualties, and 97% received honorable discharges. He told an astonished crowd that many of these veterans who were from low-income families earned high school and college diplomas.
Kitson described these southeastern Asia veterans as trailblazers who have fought for the expanded rights of veterans. From his earliest adult years, Kitson has always helped other veterans, spearheaded the Vietnam War memorial at Bald Hill, is a senior figure at Northport VA Medical Center and continues to help those men and women who have become afflicted with Agent Orange.
Speaking on behalf of VFW Post 6249, “Lieutenant” Dan Guida was an armor commander during the heavy fighting in Vietnam. A daily volunteer at this veteran’s home, Guida addressed his “comrades” about the hardships that Americans absorbed against the enemy and at home. Like most of the veterans in this program, Guida observed that only family members and friends understood the early challenges of Vietnam veterans. Armed with a big smile, Guida constantly supports this facility with an unyielding friendship to care for residents with PTSD. Directly after Guida spoke, all the residents had their names called out, where they received applause and praise for their time in Vietnam.
On March 22, Guida helped Cmdr. Joe Cognitore of VFW Post 6249 create the first-ever veterans affairs workshop.
Agencies from all over Long Island spoke to veterans about key services and programs that are provided to them and their families. A Vietnam veteran and a platoon sergeant who fought in Cambodia in 1970, Cognitore has been one of the most vocal local, state and veterans advocates over the last several decades. Since the First Gulf War, Cognitore has been a vital pillar of support and a source of information to help aid veterans of all ages.
At the end of this ceremony, VFW Post 6249 retired the colors at this endearing program to “Welcome Home” our Vietnam veterans some 51 years after the last Americans pulled out of South Vietnam.
By Rich Acritelli
On March 29, the federal government will honor the military service of our American citizens through the National Vietnam War Veterans day.
On Saturday, March 16, VFW Post 6249 Suffolk County World War II and Military History Museum thanked Wading River resident Jerry McGrath for his devotion to fighting for the United States during this conflict. A young man who was in the United States Army in South Vietnam, McGrath was an artillery sergeant in the field during the height of the fighting.
After his enlistment ended, McGrath became a long time teacher at the Wading River Elementary School. Over his teaching career, McGrath was a beloved figure for the younger generations of students from this North Shore community.
The affection for this teacher was recently seen as a picture of McGrath and his Vietnam War picture that has been placed in this local museum was placed on Facebook. Students from all decades responded to the kindness that McGrath presented to the boys and girls who he taught at this elementary school.
As a fifth grader, Eric Strovink was in McGrath’s class in 1981, and affectionately recalled the life-long lessons that he learned from this iconic figure. A physical education teacher at a Mount Sinai Elementary School, Strovink was a talented baseball player and wrestler who later followed in the same career as McGrath.
Speaking in front of members of the VFW Post 6249, Strovink asked McGrath questions about his time in Vietnam, as an educator, and his love of fishing. In 1985, McGrath began instructing courses on recreational fishing.
The positive character of McGrath and his expertise increased the class sizes through different educational and professional development workshops that were taught at local libraries and for the Suffolk County Parks Department. McGrath’s influence spread to Ward Melville, as one of his students, organized a fishing class at this high school.
Thank you to Jerry McGrath for his patriotic sacrifices during the Vietnam War. This disabled veteran from Wading River serves as an important reminder of local and national service that some teachers have experienced during their lifetime.
