Addabbo honors 2022 Veterans Hall of Fame inductee with ceremony at Atlas Park on Armed Forces Day

Each year, State Senators across New York are tasked with selecting a veteran from their district to be nominated for the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame. State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. has nominated Staff Sergeant Catalina Gaviria from Hamilton Beach as his 2022 Veterans Hall of Fame inductee.

Addabbo held a ceremony for Staff Sergeant Gaviria during his Veterans Information Fair at The Shops at Atlas Park on Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 21, 2022.

Staff Sergeant Catalina Gaviria started her military career with the United States Marine Corps in 2000, as 0121 Administration Clerk. Her first duty station was with the 6th Communication Battalion and was mobilized in 2002 for one year in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Following her mobilization, she transferred to the 4th Tank Battalion, Tow and Scouts platoon in Florida. It was during this time she was mobilized to support the unit’s deployment to Djibouti, Africa in support of the Global War on Terror. After the unit’s return to the U.S., Staff Sergeant Gaviria performed funeral honors for fallen Marines and volunteered for the Toys for Tots Program, which the USMC has been a part of for the past 75 years.

Staff Sergeant Gaviria re-enlisted into the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 2012 as an Emergency Management Instructor assigned to the 482nd Civil Engineers Squadron based in Homestead, FL. She then transferred to the 514th Civil Engineers Squadron in 2014 based out of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. This is where she still serves as an instructor for the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear program.

For her military service, she has received numerous awards, including: 2 Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medals, The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, The Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, The National Defense Service Medal, a Sharpshooter Rifle badge, and she earned a grey belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.

“Staff Sergeant Gaviria has an exemplary military record, and dedicates her time to her community. She has served her country abroad and continues to do so,” Addabbo said. “Gaviria is not only a member of our great military, but her most important title is ‘Mom.’ It was an honor to induct Staff Sergeant Gaviria into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame and it was a pleasure to meet her family during the ceremony for her at The Shops at Atlas Park on Armed Forces Day where she was presented with a plaque acknowledging her induction and military service.”

In addition to her military accolades, Staff Sergeant Gaviria earned her Associates Degree in Business Administration from Broward College, and is a Senior Payroll Administrator at Alliance Building Services in Manhattan, New York.

Staff Sergeant Gaviria is married to her high school sweetheart and fellow Marine Corps veteran, Sergeant Milton Gaviria. They have two beautiful daughters, Catalina and Valentina, and reside in Hamilton Beach, Queens.

Photos:

Veterans HOF 2 (left to right): Sean McCabe of Addabbo’s team, Addabbo, and Staff Sergeant Catalina Gaviria.