Assemblyman Brian Curran recognizes veteran James Keane of Rockville Centre

Assemblyman Brian Curran recognized nine local veterans for their service to our country by inducting them into the Veterans Hall of Honor on Nov. 19.

Among those honored was James Keane of Rockville Centre, who enlisted in the Army National Guard in December 1970. He went on to complete his basic training at Fort Knox in Kentucky and Fort Rucker in Alabama, where he served as a truck mechanic.

Keane was assigned to the 71st Infantry Division and was later transferred to the 102nd Engineer Battalion as a construction specialist until he was discharged in December 1976.

Curran also recognized David Rutkowski of South Hempstead, who was drafted into the United States Army as a combat soldier on May 16, 1967, during the Vietnam War. He later served as a driver for the 16th Engineer Battalion.

Rutkowski dutifully served his country until he was discharged on May 12, 1969. Upon being discharged from the service, he was awarded with the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Unfortunately, due to medical issues related to his time in the service, Rutkowski was unable to attend the induction ceremony. His son, however, accepted the proclamation on his behalf.

Seven other veterans were also recognized during the event including — Pasquale Alesia of Malverne, Ed Shawn and Ken Weir of Lynbrook, Ed Cook of East Rockaway and John Sandrowicz of Baldwin.

During the ceremony, all nine veterans were presented with a plaque to commemorate their induction into the Veterans Hall of Honor. Several of the veterans also shared a few words to express their gratitude for the honor, thank their families and emphasize their continued commitment towards helping fellow veterans in need.

“It is my great honor to recognize all these amazing and inspiring veterans,” Curran said. “They have given up so much to protect the freedoms we enjoy in the U.S. To honor them like this is the least I can do as a thankful citizen. We owe veterans a debt we can never repay and must always remember freedom is never free.”

Hempstead Town Councilwoman Laura Ryder echoed the remarks, thanking the veterans for their service, as well as their families for the many sacrifices they had to make back at home.

“Being from a military family myself, I understand what it’s like, and the sacrifices that the families have to make as well,” Ryder said. “When your loved one goes off to war, off to serve, it’s a very difficult time for the families back at home.”