Mary P. LaManna

Mary is the daughter of Alexander and Sophie LaManna (nee Korniewicz). Mary is a native of Staten Island along with her twin brother Joseph, and older brother Anthony where she attended St. Adalbert School.

As a child Mary had always desired to become a Registered Nurse, after graduation she started what would become a 40 year labor of love. As it was Mary also wanted to be a U.S. Army Nurse. Mary entered the Army Student Nurse Program and trained at Elizabeth General School of Nursing. After graduation from this program, Mary received her commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. Her inspiration for joining the U.S. Army was due in no small part to her father’s proud service during World War II. Mary’s fi rst duty station was Patterson Army Hospital at Fort Mommouth, New Jersey. A year later Mary received orders for duty in Vietnam where her brother Anthony was in the Marine Corps stationed in Phu Bai, Vietnam in 1968. In November of 1969, Lieutenant LaManna reported to 3rd Field Hospital where before long she was assigned to the 629th Medical Detachment which was the only hemodialysis unit in South Vietnam. Mary’s year in Vietnam gave her invaluable experience and of course, a proud history of having assisted in giving our troops the tender loving care that was so needed when they were wounded and/or sick.

Mary soon returned to her family back in the states where she worked in the Brooklyn VA Hospital because she wanted to continue caring for her brother and sister veterans. She later worked in Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada for two and one-half years, but eventually returned to Staten Island and worked in the former Doctor’s Hospital. She went back to school and earned her BSN and MSN degrees from Wagner College. Mary spent the last 29 years of her career as a Registered Nurse at Richmond University Medical Center (formerly St. Vincent’s Hospital).

Mary continues to serve others by being as active as she can be in many veteran organizations. Mary was on the Executive Board of the United Staten Island Veterans Organization for several years. She served as the Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day Parade in 1996. She is a member of North Shore VFW. She is presently the Provost Marshall in AMVETS Post 917. She is the Adjutant in the Catholic War Veterans St. Paul the Apostle Post #1934. She belongs to the Women Veterans of America, the Vietnam Veterans of America Thomas J. Tori Chapter 421 where she served as the fi rst secretary and was on their Executive Board several times. She was Past Commander of the Staten Island Women’s Post American Legion. She is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for sixty years. She served as Richmond County Vice Commander four times and had the honor and privilege to serve as the American Legion County Commander in 2010-2011. She is the second woman to hold this position in the history of Richmond County. She is presently a member of the Gold Star Post 1365. Mary is very proud to have served her country. Women have served in all wars and conflicts since the American Revolution. Mary encourages women to serve in the military and join the veteran organizations. A veteran is a veteran regardless of their gender. Mary looks forward to many more years of service to her community and the veteran community. Mary shares her life with the love of her life, Dennis McLoone, also a Vietnam veteran.