Merokean named to Senate Veterans Hall of Fame

Senator Charles Fuschillo Jr. announced on June 4 that Merrick resident Robert Tom Riordan, a Marine Corps veteran, has been named to the New York State Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame. The program recognizes veterans from across the state for either extraordinary efforts in combat or in work performed after discharge from the service.

Fuschillo welcomed Riordan to the State Capitol in Albany, where he and other veterans from across the state were honored during a special ceremony in the Capitol.

“Tom Riordan is a tireless advocate for veterans who has worked hard for many years to improve their lives. He has repeatedly organized service projects to aid local veterans and soldiers fighting overseas, as well as the community as a whole. I congratulate him on earning this honor and thank him for his many years of service to the community,” said Fuschillo.

Since first becoming a member of the American Legion more than 20 years ago, Riordan has worked diligently to improve the lives of veterans in the community.

Riordan became a member of Merrick American Legion Post 1282 in 1997 to help ensure that the post was able to keep its charter amid dwindling membership. Riordan aggressively sought to attract new members to ensure that the post could remain in the community. In large part as a result of his efforts, the post grew from 15 members in 1997 to over 160 members today. Under his leadership, the post has also received national and local recognition for excellence.

As the post’s commander, Mr. Riordan actively pursued a number of different service projects to benefit veterans, soldiers and the community as a whole. He helped organize collection efforts of used eyeglasses to give to residents in need and old books to be donated to veterans in the Northport VA Nursing Home. In addition, he organized the collection of old cell phones, which are then sold to generate proceeds to purchase care packages for Nassau County residents serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Working with students of the Merrick Avenue Middle School, Riordan coordinated efforts to send care packages to American troops stationed overseas.

Riordan’s numerous efforts on behalf of veterans have earned him several honors. He was named Merrick’s “Man of the Year” in 2001, received a Town of Hempstead Veterans’ Medal in 2002, and earned the Nassau County Distinguished Service to Veterans Award in 2007. From 2005-2006, Riordan also served as the commander of the Nassau County American Legion Committee, which is the umbrella organization for all American Legion posts in Nassau County.

Riordan resides in North Merrick with his wife, Margaret. They have three grown children, Bobby, Anne, and Peggy, and are the proud grandparents of 10 grandchildren.