Senator Golden Pays Tributes to America’s Veterans

Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today hosted his annual Veterans Day breakfast and awards ceremony earlier today and was joined by United States Army Garrison Commander Joseph Davidson, Congressman Michael Grimm and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, in remembering and paying tribute to the Brooklyn veterans gathered.

The program featured special recognition of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Catholic War Veterans Russo-De Marco Post #1702, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Jewish War Veterans, Vietnam Veterans Jose H. Hernandez and Thomas Karnes, and an NYPD Transit Authority K-9 Caesar, who served three tours for the United States military in Afghanistan.

Senator Marty Golden stated, “Today, we gathered to remember and pay tribute to those who have answered our country’s greatest call and left their mark on history. We joined together to reflect upon, and to never forget, those who have and have not come home, and those who are missing or prisoner today.”

“Since our Nation’s founding, every generation has answered the call to serve and protect. Think about the millions of men and women who have made a difference in the history of the United States of America. Think about their courage and think about your own this Veterans Day,” said Senator Marty Golden.

The event concluded with a collective singing of “God Bless America”. Photos are attached.

2014 VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST AND AWARDS CEREMONY DISTINGUISHED HONOREES

Jewish War Veterans Ladies Auxiliary (pictured in Photo #1) have volunteered an enormous amount of time at the Veterans Administration Hospital and have made an extraordinary difference in caring for our active military and our veterans.

They coordinate the distribution of puzzle books, card games, crocheting lap blankets and hats, donating cards, stamps and stationary, and support the coffee program for VA Hospital outpatients. These women continue to make sacrifices each and every day in the name of our country, and our armed forces.

Ladies Auxiliary of the Catholic War Veterans Russo-De Marco Post #1702, (pictured in Photo #2) has honored all veterans who have fought in the war, for more than sixty three years.

This group remains active and leads efforts to do charitable works. They have donated to support the education and well being of children, and support the “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster contest and have raised funds for a number of charitable causes including Heart Share, the Knights of Columbus, and “Adopt a Priest” doing good works in a foreign nation.

Post #1702 has volunteered at the Brooklyn VA Medical Center to play bingo and donate toiletry items to our servicemen. They also lead an effort to sign and mail Christmas cards to our veterans overseas, and host an annual memorial mass in honor of those who gave their lives for our country.

Vietnam Veterans Jose H. Hernandez and Thomas Karnes (Pictured in Photo #3)

Jose and Tom were from B Company 1st Brigade, 12th Calvary, 1st Calvary Division who were engaged in battle on February 22, 1966 in Vietnam, on a hill top near Bon Song, Vietnam when these United States soldiers encountered fire. Jose Hernandez was badly injured in that exchange, and it was Tom who out on the field, took to dressing the wound, ultimately saving his life. This act of courage and service, by both Jose and Tom, bonds these men together forever.

New York City Police Department Dog, Caesar (Pictured in Photo #4)

This dog is the first NYPD dog to serve in Afghanistan (3 tours of duty). He is partnered with NYPD Transit Police Officer Peter Rodriguez.