Senators Diane Savino and Andrew Lanza Honor Two Staten Island Veterans WITH New York Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame Induction

Albany, NY- Staten Island Senators Diane J. Savino (DIW-North Shore) Andrew Lanza (RC Mid-Island and South Shore) honored two veterans today with their induction to the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame.

Senator Andrew Lanza posthumously nominated Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis to the NY Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame. At the early age of 24, Ollis bravely gave his life saving another soldier. The award was received by his parents, Linda and Bob.

Senator Diane J. Savino nominated long time Veteran advocate and Vietnam nurse Mary LaManna to the NY Senate Veteran Hall of Fame.  Mary was joined by the love of her life, Dennis McLoone, also a Vietnam veteran and family.

Mary P. LaManna, a native Staten Islander, always desired to become 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 way to her father’s proud service during World War II. Mary’s first duty station was Patterson Army Hospital at Fort Mommouth, New Jersey. After about a year Mary received orders for duty in Vietnam. Brother Anthony  was in the Marine Corps and was stationed in Phu Bai, Vietnam in 1968. A year later, Lieutenant LaManna got off the plane in Saigon, Vietnam. She reported to 3rd Field Hospital. 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. Mary worked in many hospitals and held various management and administrative positions. She worked the last 29 years of her career as a Registered Nurse at Richmond University Medical Center  (formerly St. Vincent’s  Hospital).

She 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 American Thomas J. Tori Chapter 421 where she served as the first 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.