RVC veteran receives Hispanic Heritage Award

In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Rockville Centre’s Frank Colon Jr. was honored for his service as an Army veteran and his continued support of veterans’ organizations through the years at a Town of Hempstead ceremony on Sept. 19.

Town Supervisor Anthony Santino granted awards to seven local Hispanic Americans at the event — dubbed “Shaping the Bright Future of America” — as a way to begin Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

“America’s largest township is proud of its diversity and proud to recognize the accomplishments of those with Hispanic roots,” Santino said, “as their contributions continue to enhance the high quality of life offered by our town.”

Colon, commander of Rockville Centre American Legion Post 303, and a member of Woodland Engine Company No. 4, grew up in North Bellmore, and joined the U.S. Army in 1972. He was sent to Hanau, Germany, and then to Italy, and then back to Fort Hamilton, in Brooklyn, where he served with the military police. He also spent time in Korea after serving in Fort Meade, Md. Then, after being stationed in Harrisburg, Pa., for two years, he retired in 1994, as a sergeant first class.

His parents were both born in Coamo, Puerto Rico. His father came to the United States shortly after being born, and his mother came later after going to school in the U.S. territory. The two met in Brooklyn, where Colon’s grandfather was a minister at a Spanish Presbyterian Church.

Colon’s father, Frank Sr., a World War II veteran that fought on the destroyer U.S.S. Wainwright, started teaching in the North Bellmore School District in 1952 as one of the first Puerto Rican teachers in the county. He was also president of the Bellmore Lions Club and an elder and deacon of the Bellmore Presbyterian Church. “He was very active like I am,” Colon said.

The oldest of five children, Colon said his parents instilled in he and his four sisters morals through religion. “It’s an honor for my mother and father basically,” Colon said of the Hispanic Heritage Award. “That’s the way I look at it. … My parents always told us respect, always do the right thing and live up to being Spanish. Don’t mess up.”

A past commander of the Nassau County American Legion, Colon has lived in Rockville Centre since marrying his wife, Mary DeVito, in 1997. He has been involved with many veterans’ organizations, including the Vietnam War Veterans Association of Nassau County and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3350 in East Rockaway. He has a lifetime membership in the Association of the United States Army, is a former commander of the Nassau County American Legion, and is the president of the Long Island National Cemetery Military Organization.

Colon chairs the Nassau County American Legion’s annual Military Ball and Post Commanders Night, and with the Nassau County United Veterans Organization, he travels to schools to teach children about respect and handling of the flag.

“He’s spent his life really dedicated to the Rockville Centre community, to veterans, to people in need,” said Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, who nominated Colon for the award. “Just from getting to know him and speaking with him, he’s made it clear that the work ethic that was instilled in him by his parents…that’s what really has driven him to work hard, care for his family and do the right thing by his community.”

Colon said he is humbled to receive the award, and that he is most proud of having served his country in the Army, and currently serving in the Rockville Centre Fire Department.

“He’s one of those guys who if he could be honored every year, he would deserve it,” D’Esposito added, “because he really does a lot and never really looks for anything in return.”