Stony Brook resident receives county’s Veteran of the Year recognition

Suffolk County legislators honored veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces at the Legislature’s General Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 26. During the meeting, each of the 18 legislators introduced a veteran as their district’s Veteran of the Year.

Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) chose Stony Brook resident David Tracy, a United States Marine Corps Corporal, to honor.

Tracy’s commitment to making our world a better place has been his mission since joining the Marines in 2003. He served for four years, and during the Global War on Terror, he completed two tours of duty in Iraq. Tracy’s service was not without personal sacrifice, as he was awarded the Purple Heart after sustaining an injury during his first tour.

Since 2010, Tracy has continued his commitment to protecting his fellow Americans as a Law Enforcement Officer with the Department of Homeland Security.

Tracy, who lives in Stony Brook with his wife, Becky, and son, Sean, has become a familiar face in his community as the founder and chairman of the Three Village Dads Foundation. Since 2019, the foundation has raised approximately $400,000 for local causes, including $100,000 donated to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and $15,000 pledged to the Long Island State Veterans Home. Recently, foundation members refurbished the outside area of the historic Merritt-Hawkins Homestead in East Setauket and are now the house’s stewards.

Englebright said he recently toured the homestead with Tracy. He added that he was impressed by the interpretive narrative the veteran had composed for permanent signage now installed at the historic site. 

“It’s really noteworthy,” he said. “David Tracy has thoughtfully researched the significant aspects and features of the old growth woodland and Vernal pond parkland that this historic residence is embedded into.”

Additionally, Tracy serves as the quartermaster of VFW Post 3054 in Setauket and is a former trustee of the Three Village Historical Society and Three Village Community Trust.

“It is wonderful that today we have an opportunity to honor David Tracy’s many accomplishments and contributions,” Englebright said. “Thank you for your good work.”