Hundreds gather to honor local vet

Thomas Bennet Sr., an Elmont resident and veteran of the Korean War, where he received a Purple Heart, passed away last January. On June 16, nearly 100 members of the Elmont community, including students and faculty of the Gotham Avenue School, attended a ceremony to dedicate a portion of the school’s “9/11 Garden” — which honors those killed during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as local veterans — to Bennet.

A plaque displaying Bennet’s name was made, and was placed in between two newly planted saplings.

A Brooklyn native, Bennet was the youngest of seven brothers and sisters. In 1968, when he was 38, Bennet worked at the post office and part-time as the head of customer service for Durkee Foods, which was orginally located in Rockville Centre. In 1969, Tom moved to Elmont with his wife, Peggy, to raise a family. The couple raised five boys — Billy, Michael, Timmy, Patrick and Tom — and were married for 43 years.

Bennet was well-known to residents of the Elmont community, as well as surrounding communities. He served as commander of the Elmont Veterans Foreign Wars Post 455 for 40 years, and was a VFW member for 10 years prior to becoming commander. He was also very active with the American Legion, and was passionate about veterans affairs and education.

For several years, Bennet traveled to local schools to speak about the Patriot Program, which teaches students about veterans, the flag and the country. Bill Garnett, a good friend of Bennet’s, said that Bennet had a “special bond” with Gotham Avenue students.

Gotham Avenue sixth-graders sang the official hymns of the U.S. Coast Guard, Military, Navy, Marines and Air Force. A bagpipe player also played several songs.

“It was very enrichening, and very somber,” Garnett said.

The rededication ceremony was attended by several members of Bennet’s family and local dignitaries, including Nassau County Legislator John Ciotti, Town of Hempstead Councilman Ed Ambrosino and Tom Alfano, who served as an Assemblyman of District 21. Local leaders also attended, including Norma De Bartolo, a special assistant for the Elmont Union Free School District; Marshall Zucker, Gotham Avenue’s principal; Manny Rodriguez, commander of the American Legion Post 1033; Bob Spicer, the Nassau County veterans counselor; Scott Cushing, representing Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola); and Ray Mineo, representing Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray.

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