Times Ledger: Borough War Veterans Honored

Borough war veterans were honored in different ceremonies to recognize their service to the United States.

Three Korean War veterans and three Vietnam War veterans were honored by state Sen. Tony Avella (D_Bayside) a day before Veterans Day for their “outstanding service and contribution” to the United States.

They received a citation from the state Senate approved unanimously for their military service.

Along with O’Kane, Koo Ryong Lee, Chang Sub Song, Jung Yeal Kim, Jae Koan Kim and Dong Yun Ham were also honored by the senator.“Veterans were overlooked for too long,” said Michael O’Kane, one of the Vietnam War veterans honored by Avella. “I came home back in 1970 to a nation largely indifferent to us.”

“We must never forget the courage and sacrifice of those who served our great country,” Avella said. “It is through their dedication that the ideals of democracy are protected at home throughout the world.”

O’Kane pointed out that “this brings Vietnam veterans and veterans in general to the front.

He was deployed on the U.S.S. Implicit as part of “Operation Market Time,”a military effort put in place to stop the flowing of troops and supplies from North Vietnam to South Vietnam by sea.

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