Balsamo nominated to military academy

Island Park resident Lawrence Balsamo has been nominated by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to attend the United State Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point next September.

Balsamo is a senior at Chaminade High School, where he is a varsity wrestler and rower.

In the aftermath a Hurricane Sandy, he volunteered in numerous capacities, which included participation in cleanup, as well as gift card distribution for families in need.

Gillibrand said that Belsamo is deeply passionate about wilderness preservation, and has taken an active interest in improving the water quality of his hometown.

While neither his father nor his grandfather had an opportunity to attend college, both served in the U.S. military. In attending the Merchant Marine Academy, Belsamo will be continuing the latter tradition, while breaking with the former, Gillibrand concluded.