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Welcome to our Armed Forces Veterans Wall of Honor, as we pay tribute to the brave men and women who served in times of peace and war from the American Revolution to the current moments of military service. This museum recognizes their remarkable stories of courage and sacrifice to help protect this country. Our learning site offers a unique opportunity to explore and learn about the military history of Suffolk County, New York State, and this nation. Come and immerse yourself in the inspiring tales of our local and national military heroes that answered the call to preserve the ideals of this great nation during every point of our history and continue to do so today. With over five hundred names that are placed on this wall, the museum by the Fall of 2024 will be adding new names and panels through a major expansion project. Please contact us if you would like to place a veteran's name, group of veterans, and/or have a financial sponsorship towards the expansion of the wall and museum. It is our hope that the new names will be unveiled on December 7th, 2024.
Father and son together, who served proudly at home and abroad. Joe Sr., served in South Vietnam and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. He continues to help all veterans on local, state, and national levels of caring for our Armed Forces. Joe Jr. is a graduate of the War College and was deployed to Afghanistan and South Korea. He is a senior leadership figure within the Michigan State military command structure. In uniform and protecting American ideals is an important tradition in this American family. Today, Joe Sr., is one of the strongest advocates towards the support, protection, and the telling of history that is tied to the actions of veterans in this country.
A United States Marine Corps member at the end of the Cold War saw the Soviet threat on the Norwegian border, as his unit was part of an amphibious operation from America to northern Europe. Later enlisting in the 106th New York Air National Guard, Mauro was a decorated Iraqi War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient. For years, he was the VFW Post 6249 Original Chair to Wounded Warrior Golf Outing & Board Member on Diamond in the Pines 9/11/01 Memorial, 2011-2012.
A city boy who grew up on the Lower Eastside of Manhattan, Ray entered the United States Marine Corps in 1965. After he graduated from boot camp at Paris Island, South Carolina, he was sent to South Vietnam. Overseas, Ray was a mechanic and a door gunman that was attached to the I Corps out of Phu Bai, that was near the city of Hue.
Ray flew countless missions in the Quang Tri Province to pick up numerous casualties, where he helped bring them to safety for medical attention. He also conducted classified operations that saw him enter Laos to deter the enemies use of the Ho Chi Minh Trail that supplied the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong with soldiers and supplies.
Ray flew countless missions in the Quang Tri Province to pick up numerous casualties, where he helped bring them to safety for medical attention. He also conducted classified operations that saw him enter Laos to deter the enemies use of the Ho Chi Minh Trail that supplied the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong with soldiers and supplies.
One of the nearly 600,000 armed forces members who were sent to Vietnam in 1968 was The late Tom Semkow was from Center Moriches. He was the main photographer for Post 6249, Semkow was a Special Forces medic in the Mekong Delta for 10 months. During the height of Tet, he remembered how the enemy made their presence felt by firing mortars and attacking the American military squads that operated in the area. He operated in the flooded areas of this country and receiving air boat rides from Chinese operators who transported them into combat areas. Semkow enjoyed the camaraderie of this post, especially with his brother.
Very capable baseball and lacrosse players, these local figures are amongst our finest. Fernandez left the academy in June 2001, and with Shoreham resident Gabriel “Buddy” Gengler, they drove to their first training station at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. While both men were from the rival schools of Rocky Point and Shoreham-Wading River, they share a tremendous bond with each other. For more than a decade, they have tirelessly pushed for increased awareness to properly assist soldiers gravely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. They represent the newest generation of veterans who are motivated to ensure the strength of this nation at home and abroad. The street that is right outside of the VFW and this museum is named after John. After Tom Cutinella from Shoreham-Wading River tragically passed away, Buddy helped him get accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point. Both men still speak in schools on the importance of our Armed Forces.
Jack and Dannielle Hilt met at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Danielle was a talented lacrosse player, as she handled her academic and military responsibilities. They both served over-seas on deployments as Danielle was a helicopter pilot and Jack later worked with Marine Corps recruits in San Diego.
Boxing in the New Jersey Golden Gloves and a talented wrestler, Rocco J. Caputo served during the height of War on Terror at home and abroad. He also participated in Normandy anniversary jumps in France. Today, Rocco has three kids, helps run the Lou Costello Boxing Gym in Northern New Jersey, and has a thriving firewood, tree removal, and wood chip business.
A native of Manhattan Beach Brooklyn, who was a lifeguard at Sheepshead Bay, Sherman "Bay" Cassidy flew over Nazi occupied Europe during World War II. As a gunner, he not only supported his bomber crew against enemy aircraft, but was also awarded the Distinguished Air Medal for saving soldiers after a plane crashed in England. "Bay" was also a fine horsemen learning how to pull artillery pieces in Brooklyn during the Great Depression in the New York Army National Guard. He was a big man with a big smile!
Fought in almost every major engagement during World War II from the invasion of North Africa in 1942 to the end of the war in Germany in 1945. Barry was in the field against the German Wehrmacht and experienced heavy fighting. A lifetime member of VFW Post 6249 Rocky Point. His grandson John, has always in his memory, created many patriotic wood craftmanship to thank American veterans.
Danny Costanzo always had a big smile in school and was a bright young man. Always doing well with his studies, after college he enlisted into the United States Navy. Next to his father Ray who also served in the navy, Dan has been deployed to the Pacific/Asia, and has helped trained foreign military counterparts.
Robert W. Strovink was originally from Massachusetts. He was a First Lieutenant and created recruitment and training film's for the military. Strovink was stationed at the Army Pictorial Center and as a civilian he was situated on an aircraft for several months to make training films for the documentation of the construction of the Gruman Space Lunar Modules. His superior research abilities helped baseball players and coaches through saber metrics, where he created Apple software to compile statistics for players and coaches to strengthen their ability to compete in baseball. His time in military uniform, helped provide the background to establish this type of baseball research that was used by numerous players and coaches some forty years ago, that is widely used by professional players and teams today.
Frankie served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, Brooklyn, NY. As a player he served in the military, as he looked across the diamond to see other ball players that were also in the Armed Forces. For decades, he was a firefighter who responded to the
9/11/01 Rescue and Recovery Efforts at and near Ground Zero. One of the best baseball players from the city as a kid, he played for the Baltimore Orioles, and was later drafted by the New York Yankees, was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers,
and hit very well for the Atlanta Braves. He was on the field when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's Homerun Record and played with Mickey Mantle. In front of a packed Yankee Stadium, Frank threw out the first pitch of the divisional series against the Oakland A's in the fall of 2001 as a 9/11/01 firefighter. Frank is a member of the Syracuse and Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame and has a signed baseball at the Yankee Stadium Museum for fans to see.
9/11/01 Rescue and Recovery Efforts at and near Ground Zero. One of the best baseball players from the city as a kid, he played for the Baltimore Orioles, and was later drafted by the New York Yankees, was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers,
and hit very well for the Atlanta Braves. He was on the field when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's Homerun Record and played with Mickey Mantle. In front of a packed Yankee Stadium, Frank threw out the first pitch of the divisional series against the Oakland A's in the fall of 2001 as a 9/11/01 firefighter. Frank is a member of the Syracuse and Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame and has a signed baseball at the Yankee Stadium Museum for fans to see.
Serving in the United States Navy during the Cold War at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He was a young man who served on the USS Tanner. Richard LoNigro was later drafted by the New York Yankees and was a scout for the New York Mets helping find some of the finest baseball talent. Outside of the pride that he had for his large family, LoNigro established Port Jefferson Sporting Goods that was one of the largest privately owned stores in America. All local athletes ordered/purchased team, college & customer sales. He was also a strong supporter of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson that helped troubled youth.
A Queens kid who was a tough, talented athlete, and a good student, Carmine Festa served in the United States Army. A big man with a big smile, Festa was a Drill Sergeant at Fort Dix during the Vietnam War and trained soldiers going to Southeast Asia in Hawaii. Working in construction and always playing basketball, softball, and football, Festa always enjoyed his time in uniform as a young man.
Pinning his son was Vietnam War Marine Corps Sergeant James E. Connell. Serving twenty miles south of Hue, he was in the field during heavy fighting during the war. His son Sean was an Army Ranger who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Welcome Home to father and son for their services to this great nation against foreign military adversaries.
Serving stateside with Ted Williams as a fighter pilot, Paul Bowler flew combat missions over Iwo Jima and Okinawa. This later family
and businessman experienced some of the harshest fighting of World War II in the Pacific and Asia.
and businessman experienced some of the harshest fighting of World War II in the Pacific and Asia.
Like families across this nation during World War II, the Bowler Men served from Anzio Italy to the beginning of the end of the Japanese at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. As with many families that had sent multiple members to fight in Europe and the Pacific, they opposed these totalitarian powers and came home to raise their families after the war.
Craig Sr. served in Iraq during the War on Terror. This combat veteran returned home to surprise his children at their school in uniform. His son, also proudly years later in the military, where Craig Jr. protected government officials over-seas through numerous security details. Thank you to the McNabb Boys!!!
For about a year, McNabb ran more than 700 missions to ensure that these key figures were able to carry out their business within that perilous county. This North Shore family shares a rare military bond that is not always seen. After the 9/11 attacks, McNabb was quickly sent into New York City to help the people who were suffering from the terrorist attack. He spent 15 months fighting in Iraq, where he traveled to every major Iraqi city, cleared homes that were occupied by insurgents, conducted patrols and trained police. There is a unique family connection towards this military police job to assist American army forces in their mission to not only fight, but to provide a better life for the people of Afghanistan and Iraq.
A talented student-athlete from Rocky Point High School, who is now currently going to school at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Already, Chris has had training missions with shipping over-seas, and has seen the importance of learning about his military job and education. He comes from a family of military service and through the New York Fire Department who answered the call during and after 9/11/01. For his character, he was given a major scholarship by the 3256 Foundation.
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