Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick honors Long Island veterans for their contributions to the community

Two veterans from Rockville Centre were recognized for their contributions to the community and their country during a special presentation at Malverne High School on Sunday, hosted by state Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.

“We need to stop and remember those veterans who have given so much to our country,” Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said. “It’s important so we can learn their stories, learn about their sacrifice, and learn about how they have given so much to serve our country.”

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick herself is from a family of veterans. Her grandfather saw combat in World War I. Her father was on active duty during the Korean War. The ceremony, she said, gave her a new level of appreciation for her family’s service.

SUB: Frank Seipp

Frank Seipp served in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956 as a First-Class Hospital Corpsman, E5. He completed his basic training at the United Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, Maryland with Company 245 in 1952. He was stationed on the USS Grand Canyon Destroyer Tender and then later on the USS Antietam Aircraft Carrier. He was stationed in the sick bay to care for everyone on each ship and served as an X-ray technician as well.

After being discharged from the Navy, Seipp had a successful career as an auctioneer. He served for many years as a distinguished warden of his parish, The Church of Ascension in Rockville Centre, and helped found a community fair that is still running strong 50 years later. He has been active in local politics and in community affairs. He is notably the founder of the Philips House Museum, a historical museum in Rockville Centre that is focused on preserving and teaching about local history.

Seipp has been a pillar of his community for so long, not just in his church community, but also in the community of South Nassau County. He has earned the respect of just about everyone he encounters. Frank's work and dedication to the community has often been behind the scenes, and his story deserves to be shared as an inspiration to others to serve both their country and their local communities.

SUB: Mark Getman

Mark Getman enlisted into the New York Army National Guard in March 2006 as a specialist, and he was assigned to Gulf Company, 427^th Battalion Support Battery in Jamaica, Queens.

In January 2008, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant and assigned as chaplain candidate and staff specialist officer with the 258th Field Artillery Battalion and 27th Brigade Combat Team of Jamaica, NY with additional duties as the Battalions Public Affairs Officer.

In August 2009, Getman was promoted to First Lieutenant and was awarded one of the two Army Achievement Medals he would earn in his career. He has also earned the Global War on Terrorism Award, the Army Service Ribbon, and in April 2013, he received the State Humane Service Award for his work during Hurricane Sandy.

In January 2011, Lt. Getman was selected by the New York Army National Guard state chaplain to represent Jewish chaplains and Jewish chaplain candidates to support the National Guard Bureau in a nationwide campaign to recruit Army chaplains. In addition to his duties as a chaplain candidate, Lt. Getman assisted the Division of Military and Naval Affairs Public Affairs Office as a photographer, covering many events for the DMNA.

His work was published in the New York Guard Times Magazine, National Guard Bureau website, U.S. Army and Department of Defense news outlets and various publications.

He received his Rabbinical ordination from Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute, The Rabbinical Seminary of Congregations Sim Shalom in January 2012. He has worked part-time as the chaplain for the New York Active-Duty Military Joint Task Force.

Lt. Getman is currently the part-time Congregational Rabbi for Temple Emanu-El in Canarsie, Brooklyn, and leads Jewish services on weekends and during Jewish High Holidays. He is also the chaplain for American Legion Post No. 303 in Rockville Centre.

He currently works as a civilian employee at the United States Army Garrison Fort Hamilton as a public affairs specialist. He currently resides in Cedarhurst, with his wife, Lizaveta, and daughter, Abigail.