Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer and Department of Human Services Commissioner Madeline Quintyne-McConney recently hosted the Town’s 30th Annual Black History Month Celebration at Amityville Memorial High School. This year’s event was titled “African Americans in Times of War,” and featured a variety of performances as well as local honorees. Also in attendance were Town Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez, Councilmembers Jackie Gordon, Anthony Manetta and Terry McSweeney, Town Clerk Gerry Compitello, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory, Legislator Tom Donnelly and several other representatives.
Averi Harper, a News 12 reporter and the host of “Diverse Long Island,” a magazine show focused on minority issues, was the Mistress of Ceremonies for the event. Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, the President of SUNY College at Old Westbury, delivered the keynote address for the event.
The event honored 30 veterans from Long Island for their services in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Each veteran answered the call to action and put his or her life on the line overseas. In addition to these veterans, three others who were killed in action were also recognized. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Wyandanch Memorial Post 361 and Martin A. Kessler Post 2912, as well as Hunter Squires Jackson American Legion Post 1218 were honored for their commitment to serving veterans in the Babylon community.
The invocation was delivered by First Sergeant Charles Chaney Sr., a retiree of the United States Army and current member of the Department of Defense. Chaney, a graduate of Amityville High School, was ordained in 1992.
Photo (left to right): Various elected officials join the distinguished guests and attendees of the Town of Babylon’s 30th annual Black History Month program.
