Local veterans earn top honors

Loyalty.

That was the word United States Volunteer Brigadier General Daniel Helix underscored when he awarded the 11th New York Regiment USV-A unit with the USV Outstanding Unit and Honors Unit commendation -- the highest award given -- on Dec. 5 at the Lynbrook VFW on Merrick Road.

The 11th New York Regiment USV-A unit is a group of local veterans who volunteer their time to perform complete military final honors to fallen service men and women. The ceremony includes the folding of the American Flag, the firing of three rounds and the playing of "Taps" by a bugler. The New York unit performed nearly 100 honors this year, the most performed out of the 19 units nationwide. "You guys are stars," Helix said of the unit. "New York will be the first example on how to do this right."

Helix, who is the deputy commanding general for the USV, came from their headquarters in California to honor the unit last weekend. Only one unit gets the award per year, Helix said, and the New York unit should be proud of its accomplishment. Major Roger Colena, who served in the Marines and Army, was recognized by Helix for his role in the USV, and he said that sometimes Americans forget about veterans. "If it wasn't for veterans taking care of veterans, no one would care," Colena said. "We do this for the families. They deserve it."

Colena said the military used to perform final honors for fallen veterans, but a lack of funding let the practice fall by the way side. He said the unit, composed of 28 veterans, formed in 2005 and the families of deceased veterans reach out to them for their help. The unit contacts the cemetery and funeral director, he said, and sets up the entire detail. "They deserve that honor," Colena said. "It seems like the country forgets about them, so we're bringing it back."

Lynbrook resident and USV member Col. Joe Schroder said it was "an extreme honor" to receive the award from Helix and it was something the unit didn't expect. Schroder's father was a WW II veteran and when he died, Schroder said his father did not receive proper military final honors. That's why he said it's important to him to be a part of this unit. "Honorably discharged veterans deserve to be honored and recognized," Schroder said.