Tribute and honor award recipients named

Glen Cove has long been a community that values and honors its veterans, recognizing the critical role they play both in serving the country and in strengthening the community once they return home. One such organization that recognizes these efforts is the Tribute and Honor Foundation which announced its eight honorees, five veterans and three veteran supporters, at the North Shore Historical Museum on Sunday. The foundation announced it will hold its 4th annual Tribute and Honor gala on Feb. 1, at The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville.
“Their awards highlight the values we hold dear in our community,” Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, President of the Tribute and Honor Foundation said. “We feel it’s important to recognize the veterans who have not only served our country but continue to serve our community in so many meaningful ways. For those of us with loved ones who have faced harm’s way, this ceremony is close to our hearts.”
Glen Cove Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck echoed this sentiment, noting the city’s ongoing commitment to honoring its veterans.
“A lot of communities don’t pay tribute and honor their veterans as we do in Glen Cove,” she said. “Where would we be without any of our veterans today?
In addition to recognizing individuals for their direct service, the awards will also spotlight leaders in education, business, and nonprofit sectors who have made significant strides in supporting veterans’ transitions to civilian life. These honorees have established vital programs that provide resources and opportunities for veterans, from educational initiatives to career development.

The Tribute and Honor Awards will also pay special tribute to individuals who have worked to raise awareness about veteran suicide and mental health challenges. Among the notable efforts is the 22 PTSD Awareness Challenge, a grueling 22-mile kayak journey across the Long Island Sound designed to bring attention to the mental health struggles that veterans often face, particularly post traumatic stress disorder and the devastating rate of veteran suicides. The event draws participants and supporters from across the region, but this year, two Glen Cove police officers and Navy veterans, Derek and Owen Valance, took on the challenge, completing the journey in late August. Their determination helped raise over $1,500 for mental health initiatives benefiting veterans on Long Island.
The Valance brothers, who both served in the Navy before joining the Glen Cove Police Department, have long been advocates for veteran causes. Their participation in the 22-mile challenge was a deeply personal and powerful demonstration of their commitment to their fellow service members. Despite challenging conditions on the water, they successfully crossed the sound in August , helping to shine a spotlight on the need for greater awareness and support for veterans dealing with PTSD.
In December of 2021, Mathews teamed up with chef Jeanine DiMenna to begin the foundation. Their mission was to alleviate some of the construction costs incurred after a devastating fire that left members of Glen Cove’s James E. Donohue Veterans of Foreign War Post 347 without a home in August 2021. Moreover, the organization has expanded its mission to provide support to veterans and their families across Long Island.