Curran honors Rockville Centre veterans

Assemblyman Brian Curran (R-Lynbrook) recently recognized and honored Eugene P. Clark III, Col. John F. Barry (Retired) and John G. Madson, Sr., all of Rockville Centre, at his third annual Veterans’ Hall of Honor event at the St. Mary’s/Maris Stella Council 2228 Knights of Columbus in Lynbrook. Friends and family members of the veterans gathered to celebrate their recognition. Thanking the veterans for their service and patriotism to their country and community, Curran presented 15 honorees with a New York State Proclamation.

“This was a special event that gave our community the opportunity to celebrate the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to ensure our freedoms and our way of life,” said Curran. “We owe everything that 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 everything that they have achieved for this great nation and its citizens.”

Eugene P. Clark III first entered the United States Air Force in 1955 when he was 17 and joined Air Traffic Control School in Mississippi and later attended advanced GCA schooling in England. He was also stationed in the United States, Turkey and Vietnam to support military Air Operations in those respective regions. After his service, some of the numerous organizations that Clark has been involved in are the Rockville Centre, Nassau County and New York State American Legions; the New York State Veterans’ of the Vietnam War; and several projects with the Northport VA Hospital.

Colonel John (Jack) F. Barry was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Saint Bonaventure University in 1968. He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, the Field Artillery and Transportation officer Advanced Courses, the U.S. Naval Transportation Management School and the Command and General Staff College. Colonel Barry’s civilian education includes a Bachelor of Arts in History from Saint Bonaventure University, a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from C.W. Post College and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Roth Graduate School of Business of Long Island University.

Col. Barry’s active Army experience includes tours in the United States and Vietnam. While in Vietnam he served in the First Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) and was assigned as a Forward Observer, Executive Officer and Battery Commander of A Battery, 1st Battalion, 21st Artillery. As a Reserve Officer, his key assignments included Battery Commander, B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 104th Field Artillery; Assistant Inspector General, Headquarters, 77th United States Army Reserve Command; Chief, Internal Review, 77th United States Army Regional Support Command; Battalion Commander, 354th Transportation Battalion; and the Army Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for the State of Rhode Island. Colonel Barry retired from service in August of 2000.

John G. Madson, Sr. enlisted in the United States Navy on May 5, 1944. After his training, he was sent to Pearl Harbor Navy Yard to install a special safety device he invented while working at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Without his invention, production machines would break down for days at a time. Immediately after receiving a patent for his invention, he released it to the government for one dollar and no royalties. Madson said he did this for the “war effort.” He was then assigned to the US Navy Amphibious Forces in the Pacific and participated in the liberation of the Philippines; invasions of Iwo Jima, Chichi Jima, and Okinawa; and finally the occupation of Japan. John is an active member of the East Rockaway Veterans Post 3350, serving as a delegate, and on occasion can be found at Greene Acres Shopping Mall with the VFW Poppies.

Local elected officials in attendance were Rockville Center Deputy Mayor Nancy Howard, Town of Hempstead Senior Councilman Anthony Santino and Nassau County Legislator Laura Curran.