Supervisor Rich Schaffer and Councilwoman Jackie Gordon recently welcomed local veterans, elected officials, students and others to Town Hall for the annual Veterans’ Awareness Week Kickoff Program. At the event, seven students from Copiague, Lindenhurst and West Babylon were recognized for their victorious submissions to a veteran-themed essay contest. New York State Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre and Suffolk County Legislators DuWayne Gregory and Kevin McCaffrey were also in attendance, as well as representatives from American Legion Wayne Middleton Post #1839 and the Town of Babylon’s Veterans’ Advisory and Steering Council Committees.
The theme of this year’s essay contest was titled “My Hero: Write about a veteran you admire and why?” Each of the winners – who placed either first, second, third or as an honorable mention – received a gift card for their efforts.
Pictured from left to right (front): Devin Trinca, Susan E. Wiley Elementary School, First Prize; Joseph Rippo, Lindenhurst Middle School, First Prize; Hinter Legette, Susan E. Wiley Elementary School, Second Prize; Julia Drago, Lindenhurst Middle School, Second Prize; Jada Nova, Deauville Gardens East Elementary, Third Prize; Dahlia Lind, West Babylon Junior High, Third Prize; Charlotte Peralta, Lindenhurst Middle School, Honorable Mention.
(Back): Kimberly Jean-Pierre; Rich Schaffer; Robert Romano, Town of Babylon Veterans’ Advisory Committee; Joe Ingino, Town of Babylon Veterans’ Advisory Committee; DuWayne Gregory; Kevin McCaffrey; Jackie Gordon; Juan Leon, Town of Babylon Veterans’ Advisory Committee.