Friday, November 13, 2026
In America’s 250th year, Long Beach paid its respects to local servicemen on Veterans Day with the unveiling of a new memorial plaque commemorating those who have served in conflicts following the Vietnam War.
The plaque recognized veterans and fallen service members involved with operations in Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. “This plaque signifies that their service in those conflicts will never be forgotten,” Paul Vista, senior vice commander of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Lt. John F. O’Grady Post 1384 said.
Vista, an army veteran whose service ended 15 years ago, said that there are upwards of 48,000 veterans that live in Nassau County. He thanked city personnel and other supporters for their continued support of veteran organizations.
City Council President Brendan Finn, who served as the guest speaker, emphasized the importance of honoring veterans beyond Veteran’s Day, noting their willingness to risk their lives in service to the country. Fin highlighted three military heroes from Long Island, including two late residents: Michael Valente, a World War I veteran, and Major Thomas Kennedy, for which he wore a commemorative pin.
Valente was born in Italy in 1895 and served as a Private First Class with Company D, part of the 107th Infantry Regiment, part of the 54th Brigade, 27th Division of the New York State National Guard during World War I.
In 1929, Valente was honored with a Medal of Honor by President Herbert Hoover for silencing two enemy machine-gun nests and capturing 21 German soldiers before being wounded during an assault on the Hindenburg Line in France.
Valente died in 1976 at age 80 and, in 2011, was recognized by the city and Nassau County, renaming the Long Beach bridge in his honor. The effort was initiated by his grandson, Ralph Madalena, and approved by the Nassau County Legislature.
Finn reflected on America’s changing sense of national pride and argued that schools should teach younger generations about the country’s history and the importance of defending its values. He praised the youngsters — girl scouts, boy scouts and seventh graders from Long Beach Middle School — that attended the ceremony.
“We need our school system to teach our children the importance of being able to defend democracy and protect the American values that are imbued in our founding documents,” he said. “To see all the children here today, that looks like it’s happening. I’m grateful for that.”
Gerald Haber, commander of the American Legion Victor Murtha Post 972, encouraged residents of all ages to thank servicemen and women, first responders included, noting their everyday commitment to residents.
Robert Condela, Post 1384’s chaplain, read the Prisoners of War-Missing in Action prayer. Peggy Costigan, president of the American Legion Auxiliary, sang the national anthem and “God Bless America.”
Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft, of Temple Emanu-El of the South Shore, gave benediction on a late Long Beach resident, for which he will officiate their funeral. Zanerhaft said he tried to comfort the resident, who said he regretted never going into combat, by telling him his actions saved lives.
“It serves as a reminder today,” Zanerhaft said. “That no matter what our veterans did with their service, whether they were an Air Force Mechanic, medic, marine drill sergeant, tank commander, they all played a role in defending our country, our liberties and our democracy.”
