Joe J. "Preacher" Ingino

Joseph J. Ingino is serving his second term as President of the Nassau County Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans Association (VVA) # 82. He has been a member of the VVA for 22 years, and a member of Chapter 82 for the last 16. In addition to his service as Chapter President for the last two years, he chairs the Chapter’s Agent Orange/Dioxin and Sons and Daughters in Touch Committees. He co-chairs the Constitution and Finance Committees, serves as a New York State Council Delegate, and is coordinator of the Walter Reed Hospital Visits Program.

Mr. Ingino’s advocacy for Agent Orange exposure awareness is well known and has earned him the nickname “Preacher.” In 2005, he worked with the Town of Oyster Bay to bring the “Vietnam Wall Experience” to Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. He is proud to have been instrumental in establishing the nation’s fi rst visible legacy to the more than 300,000 Vietnam Veterans chemically wounded or killed by Agent Orange dioxins.

Mr. Ingino is an in-country Vietnam Veteran who served between 1969 and 1970 with the First Infantry Division. His meritorious service earned him the national defense ribbon, the good conduct medal, the Vietnam campaign medal, the Vietnam cross of gallantry, and an army commendation with oak leaf.

Joe’s love for his country continues to shine through his continued service to his fellow veterans. During his fi rst term as Chapter President, he held the fi rst-ever “Veterans Health Expo” at the Broadway Mall in Hicksville and has since held several such expos all across Long Island. He was named “Veteran of the Year” and received the 2008 Veteran of the Year Award from the Town of Babylon Republican Party.

Joe, a 36-year resident of Lindenhurst, is retired from the Town of Oyster Bay. He is married with five surviving children.