Local veterans inducted into Hall of Honor in Lynbrook

Assemblyman Brian Curran hosted his annual Veterans Hall of Honor induction ceremony last Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Lynbrook Knights of Columbus.

“This special event is an opportunity to celebrate the honorable and brave veterans who have sacrificed so much to ensure our freedoms and way of life,” said Curran. “We owe everything we enjoy today to those who answered the call to serve their country, and each of our veterans deserves our gratitude and respect. This recognition is but a small token of appreciation for all they have achieved for this great nation and its citizens.”

Among others, the local honorees were, from Lynbrook: Francisco Arias, Albert Krapf, Michael Mattera and Warren Toellner. East Rockaway: Richard Bilello and Stephen Owen.

The honorees

Francisco E. Arias

Born in El Salvador, Francisco E. Arias became a legal United States resident, moving to Lynbrook in 1964.

After graduating from Lynbrook High School, he was drafted in 1970 and received his basic training at Fort Dix, later learning light weapons infantry at Fort Polk, and was eventually ordered to Vietnam before eventually being sent to South Korea. Arias served overseas for 14 months earning the rank of E5-SP 5 Sergeant Infantry before being honorably discharged in 1976.

After returning from service, Francisco worked for Nassau County as a recreational therapist before becoming employed by LILCO (National Grid), from where he retired in 2011, and married his wife Lucy in 1978, together raising their daughter Andrea, welcoming her husband Scott into the family, and enjoying the blessings of grandparenthood to Cadence and Aida.

Arias started the Lynbrook soccer program, serving as a coach as well as at SUNY at Old Westbury. He presently trains teams and individuals throughout Nassau County.

Rich Bilello

A lifelong Long Islander, Rich Bilello graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he served as a cadet commander, as well as the U.S. Army’s Defense Language Institute, Airborne and Nuclear Weapons Training Schools. He served both domestically and internationally on active duty and in the reserves, reaching the rank of CPT.

In addition to his military service, Bilello earned his MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business and spent 20 years in the health care field leading several corporate restructuring efforts for United States and global businesses and organizations.

He and and his wife Holly settled in East Rockaway and raised two children together: Austin and Olivia.

Bilello is a member of the East Rockaway American Legion and volunteers for the Lynbrook Little League and Lynbrook Cyclones; he serves on the East Rockaway zoning and library boards, and is currently a village trustee.

Albert Krapf

Albert L. Krapf, Sr. was born on Sept. 11, 1924 and has spent most of his life in Lynbrook. He was drafted into the United States Army Air Force in March 1943 and was sent to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado and finally Gunnery School in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He ended up in Italy as a member of the 15th Air Force 484th Bomber Group, flying missions bombing German manufacturing sites and factories that produced and stored war materials. He flew 52 sorties with his crew, with the navigator and tail gunner both lost to injuries, before he was honorably discharged in September 1945.

Al has been married to his wife Gloria for 72 years and together they have two children, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Michael Mattera

Michael Mattera served as a Spec. Fourth Class of the United States Army 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam from 1967 and 1968. Stationed in Pleiku, Central Highlands, Michael contracted malaria 11 times and was wounded by enemy fire.

As a result of his injuries Michael was awarded the Purple Heart as well as other meritorious awards including the Combat Infantry Badge, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation medal with oak leaf cluster, Army good conduct medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Army Presidential Unit Citation, among others.

After returning from service, Michael worked as a postal worker in Lynbrook, retiring after 30 years, and married Jojo. They raised Jennifer and Michael and have four grandchildren: Maggie, Quinlan, Donovan and Owen.

Stephen Owen

Stephen Owen was born and raised in East Rockaway, graduated from ERHS and shortly after was drafted in the United States Army. He was deployed to Vietnam, setting up base camp in Phu ba and becoming attached to the 3rd Marine Division running operations from Da Nang to the D.M.Z. Six months later, he was transferred to the First Cav Air Mobile based in Natrang, South Vietnam to work on helicopters.

After finishing his tour, Stephen started his own auto towing company, which has been in operation for 30 years, and also became a member of the Oceanside Fire Department, becoming a past lieutenant and currently holding a seat on the company’s Exempt Board as a Trustee. Owen is married to Kathy, is father to Stephen and Michele, and two grandsons. He is the commander of the East Rockaway Robert F. Garrison VFW Post (where he has been a member for the past 49 years.

Warren Toellner

Stationed aboard the U.S.S. North Carolina from April 1941 to May 1947, Warren Toellner spent World War II stationed in the South Pacific.

As the first American battleship commissioned in two decades the North Carolina gained notoriety for the shipbuilding technology, making the ship one of the first to receive radar and, for its time, one of the strongest light anti-aircraft armaments. The only battleship in the naval force in the South Pacific, North Carolina joined the fight against the Japanese, landing United States Marines on the islands of Guadalcanal and Tulagi in August 1942, initiating the battle for Guadalcanal, and escorting aircraft carriers Saratoga, Enterprise, and Wasp as well as their cruisers and destroyers, keeping the supply and communication lines to the Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal open.

Participating in the battle of the Eastern Solomons, North Carolina was fired upon by Japanese dive and torpedo bombers, and in response, resulting in the loss of 100 Japanese aircraft and the United States Navy claiming victory.

One sailor was killed during the attack, and Toellner was among the survivors and witnesses to the battle. He and his wife, Elsa, moved to Lynbrook in 1962. He worked for the New York Police Department for 32 years.