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A state senator and a Korean War veteran . . . she names him an official Veterans Hall of Famer | Inside Out
![In the Dongan Hills home of Charles Navarino, from the left, Anthony Navarino, Jimmy Haynes of USIVO and the Granito-Smith American Legion Post, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Charles A. Navarino and John Sollazzo. (Courtesy/Office of Senator Scarcella-Spanton)Staten Island Advance](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/2024/01/16/jss_d23_navarino.jpg?itok=ym9B1x7c)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It’s not every day that a State Senator pays a visit to your home, conveys her thanks, and presents a prestigious award for service to country.
The above scenario unfolded on the Thursday before Christmas when State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton rang the doorbell at the Dongan Hills home of Charles A. Navarino.
She presented the U.S. Army veteran a Veterans Hall of Fame plaque and named him Veteran of the Year.
What’s more, in addition to the plaque, Scarcella-Spanton gifted Mr. Navarino with a commemorative version of the illustrious write up describing his military service that will now hang in the State Capitol Building Albany.
“When I think about veterans on Staten Island, Charles Navarino is the first person who comes to mind,” noted Scarcella-Spanton. “I think about seeing him visit my elementary school for every single veteran’s event PS 11 held, or handing out American Flags to pre-schoolers outside of St. Ann’s whenever I walked my kids to school. These everyday moments have made him a staple in our community over the years.”
“Charlie’s impact extends far beyond the sacrifices he made during the Korean War — touching the lives of his fellow veterans all over Staten Island,” she said. “It’s veterans like Charlie who make our community stronger and more connected, and I felt privileged to recognize his contributions to the veteran community.”