Senator Martins Joins Long Island Air Force Association in Honoring Local Vietnam Veterans

     Senator Jack M. Martins (R-7th Senate District) recently joined with the Long Island Air Force Association in honoring 40 local Vietnam veterans for their brave and devoted service to our nation.

     Each of the veterans received the Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal at a ceremony held at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.  The medals were issued as part of the national Vietnam War Commemoration, which the federal government created to honor and pay tribute to all Vietnam veterans.  The Long Island Air Force Association is one of the US Department of Defense’s commemorative partner organizations which works to ensure that Long Island’s Vietnam veterans are recognized and thanked for their service.

     Senator Martins attended the ceremony and, together with Congresswoman Kathleen Rice and Colonel Thomas Owens, Commanding Officer of the 106th Rescue Wing-Air National Guard,  presented the veterans with their medals and thanked each of them for serving our country.

     “The national commemoration and this ceremony are opportunities to say to our veterans something that should’ve been said when they returned home from Vietnam; ‘thank you.’  These men fought and risked their lives for our country.  They made sacrifices, as did their families.  Each of them are heroes, and it was wonderful to see them receive the recognition and gratitude they deserve,” said Senator Martins. 

     Senator Martins (left center) is pictured as he congratulates Jack Hirsch, Commander of Albertson VFW Post 5253 (right center) on receiving the Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal and thanks him for his service to our country.  He is joined by Congresswoman Rice (right) and Colonel Owens (left).