By Jennifer Donatelli
As part of a week-long celebration in honor of Veterans Day, Major Chad Lennon (R, Mt. Sinai), Suffolk County Legislator in the 6th Legislative District, Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient, along with Stony Brook University, honored veterans and residents of the Long Island State Veterans Home (LISVH) at their facility at a Nov. 8 breakfast on the university campus.
Suffolk County lawmakers, including Executive Ed Romaine (R), thanked the veterans for their service, promising to continue advocating for their rights. Lennon, reflecting on veterans sacrifices, expressed his gratitude for their dedicated service to the country. He told the crowd that Suffolk County has the largest veteran population in New York State.
In his keynote address to hundreds of veterans, Lennon said, “I would not be here today if it wasn’t for you. Your identity completely changes when you go off to war. Someday my title as legislator will end, but the one title that will follow me for the rest of my life is that of a Marine.”
The LISVH also recognized John LaSpina with its Distinguished Service Award. LaSpina is the president of Maple Family Centers, a 59-year-old family business that owns and operates bowling centers across Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn. He personally hosts events throughout the year that raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the veterans home.
Over the past decade, LaSpina’s commitment to Long Island’s veteran community has significantly improved the lives of veterans and their families. He was recognized for his volunteer work and funding that allowed the home to purchase a virtual reality system to treat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Fred Sganga, executive director of the LISVH, said the technology has since expanded to serve 100 other veterans homes across the country.
Reacting to his award, LaSpina said, “I stand on the shoulders of these great people before me, and am proud to be among them. It is our job to educate the younger generation about veterans and what they do and continue to do for our country. We fly the flag for you and our freedom.”
LaSpina also received a flag from Rep. Nick LaLota’s (R, NY1) office that had flown over the U.S. Capitol.
Addressing veterans last week, LaSpina said, “This place does wonderful things for our heroes. God bless you all. You are our true heroes.”
Sgt. Kuroly, a weapons specialist in the U.S. Air Force, said LaSpina is “one of our greatest guardian angels.”
“We are profoundly grateful for John LaSpina’s exceptional generosity,” added Sganga. “His unwavering support has transformed our recreational programs and uplifted the spirits of our veterans. This endowment fund will enable us to continue to honor our commitment to those who have served our nation.”
“You know that Veterans Day is not just another date on the calendar. It’s a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by our veterans, regardless of what generation they are or uniform they wore,” said Robert Smith, a U.S. Navy veteran and chairman of the Veterans Advisory Board.
Rabbi Joseph Topek, the Jewish chaplain at Stony Brook Medicine, agreed, telling the crowd, “Let’s celebrate. This is not a time of mourning. Celebrate your service, the sacrifices that you made. Our country is great, and it’s because of the service of our veterans.”
New York State Assemblyman Edward Flood (R, Port Jefferson) said he was privileged to be at the ceremony. “I come from a family of veterans,” he explained. “My father served in the Vietnam War, so I have seen the sacrifices he made.” Flood continued, “It is an honor to be in the presence of all of these heroes.”
Salvatore Scarlato knows firsthand what it’s like fighting in a war. At 93, he is one of the last remaining Korean War veterans on Long Island. He said he and 17 friends joined the Marines, knowing they were about to be drafted and sent to Korea. Scarlato recalled, “At the beginning it was tough. I was 18 years old and didn’t know anything about current events. The only thing I knew was that I was going off to war.” He continued, “When you go to war, and especially in Korea, it really changes your perspective on things. But it had to be done. In seven days, you became a man, and your life was never the same.”
Harry Janson, 76, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, is a member of the Veterans Advisory Board and dedicates all his free time to raise money for veterans. He said, “They deserve it all. These guys are heroes every day.”
Romaine told the audience that democracy will prevail, saying, “We will always survive as a nation that stands for our flag, for our freedom, and for our country.”
Smith asked all the attendees to take a deep breath and then exhale. He added, “That is the taste of freedom. It is veterans who are willing to put their lives on hold for the good of the nation so you and your family can have that taste of freedom. Let us never forget them.”
Philip Sullivan, a U.S. Navy post-Korean War veteran and resident of the home, urged the crowd to honor America’s 68 million veterans and renew their commitment to them. He said, “Pledge to keep the spirit of U.S. veterans alive as the chimes of freedom ring out. Let us not forget the service of these men, who we are humbled to care for each day.”
The LISVH at Stony Brook University is a 350-bed, skilled nursing facility and the largest of its kind out of 163 facilities in the United States. For more information, call 631-444-VETS.
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