Honoring Veterans and Their Supporters

Glen Cove, NY - January 19, 2024 - The Tribute and Honor Foundation, Inc., a Long Island-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans and their families, is gearing up for its Third Annual Awards Ceremony and Fundraising Gala. The public is invited to the event, scheduled for Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville, NY, starting at 6:00 pm.

The foundation will recognize and honor eight outstanding individuals at the upcoming ceremony for their exceptional contributions and service. Among them, Anthony Anzalone, a lifelong Glen Cove resident, retired Army Colonel, and long-time member of Glen Cove American Legion Post 76 will be awarded the Legacy Award. Luke Whitting, Commander of Glenwood Landing American Legion Post 336 and 2023 City of Glen Cove Veterans Day Honoree, will receive the Leadership Award. Chad Ryals, a decorated former U.S. Army Ranger and current Chaplain of Glen Cove’s James E. Donohue VFW Post 347, will be honored with the Community Service Award. Dave Christie, a longtime VFW Post 347 member, U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran, and Glen Cove firefighter will receive the Volunteer Award. Derek Valance, a former Navy SEAL and current officer with the Glen Cove Police Department, will be presented with the Impact Award. Lisa and Wayne Cohen, tireless members of Rolling Thunder New York Chapter 6 and advocates promoting accountability for POWs and MIAs, will be recognized with the Homefront Award. Honor Flight Long Island, an organization that sponsors free flights to Long Island veterans to view their monuments in Washington D.C., will be acknowledged with the Front Runner Award. Stefan and Jenny Hespeler, founders of Operation VEST, will receive the Awareness and Remembrance Award for their commitment to working to eradicate suicide among veterans, promoting awareness, and removing stigma.

“We have created the awards to not only honor the very best of the veteran community and their supporters on Long Island but also to highlight aspects such as the strong relationship that exists between former servicemembers and First Responders,” explained local voice and speech coach and founder of the Tribute and Honor Foundation, Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews.“The spirit of service that drives someone to serve in the military is often the same spirit of service that drives them to become a First Responder when they return home. Recognizing this parallel, the Impact Award will be presented to a veteran who has made a strong impact on the community through his or her service in the military and as a first responder.” This year’s recipient of the award is Glen Cove Native and Glen Cove Police Officer, Derek Valance.

Speaking of Derek Valance, recently installed PBA President Chris Pascucci expressed, “Officer Derek Valance exemplifies the highest standards of service and commitment. His exceptional background as a former Navy SEAL and unwavering dedication make him an invaluable asset to the force and our community. This is a well-deserved honor.”Another award, the Awareness and Remembrance Award, is intended to heighten awareness of the alarming rate of suicide among active service members and returning veterans. While statistics vary, the rate of suicide among veterans is unsettling. According to an August 2023 article at Military.com, suicide among post-9/11 veterans rose more than tenfold from 2006 to 2020, even as the rate remained relatively flat in the general U.S. adult population.

This year's recipients of the Awareness and Remembrance Award are a couple from Brightwaters, Long Island, who founded an organization called Operation VEST, which stands for Veterans Ending Suicide Together. The founders, Stefan and Jenny Hespeler, along with their board and volunteers, work to create awareness and remove stigma surrounding mental health so that veterans and active military can heal. One of their many initiatives includes the recent 22° Run and Plunge, which raises funds for therapy programs through partner organizations for veterans suffering from the emotional wounds of war. "We are honored and humbled to be receiving this year’s Awareness and Remembrance Award," said co-founder Stefan Hespeler. "The gift for us in receiving this award is the opportunity to help spread the word on an issue that is dear to our hearts." Stefan’s wife, Jenny Hespeler, who founded Operation VEST with her husband added, “I think it’s great that the Tribute and Honor Foundation has created this awards ceremony, not only highlighting a critically important issue that is important to us but also emphasizing other issues of importance to the veteran community. It’s also great to have one night a year that we can all join together for a festive evening celebrating our veterans and their families.”

Commenting on the 2024 Community Service Award recipient Chad Ryals, Vietnam War Veteran and Liaison to the Tribute and Honor Foundation on behalf of VFW Post 347 said, “Chad Ryals is one of the finest people I know. Not only is he a three-time Purple Heart Recipient, Chaplain of our post, and an active member of the Locust Valley American Legion Post 962, but at every turn, he is rolling up his sleeves to lend a hand to a fellow veteran or someone in need. I am looking forward to joining veterans and friends in honoring Chad with this fitting tribute.”

The Homefront Award is presented annually to non-veterans for their outstanding service to the veteran community. Among the esteemed past recipients is George Suddell, of Suddell Architects & Builders, who generously provided architectural plans and guidance in rebuilding VFW Post 347 free of charge after their devastating fire. Another leader in the community and recipient of the award is Pete Prudente, a firefighter, organ donor, and the 2019 Glen Cove Herald Person of the Year. Pete's selfless acts include preparing meals for the annual Memorial Day Picnic at the VFW Post, leading blood drives, and engaging in countless activities to serve veterans and the community.

This year’s honorees, Lisa and Wayne Cohen, are tireless members of Rolling Thunder New York Chapter 6 and are well-known across Long Island for their unwavering support of veteran causes. As noted by Tribute and Honor Foundation Liaison Member and President of Military Blue Star Mothers NY 14, Andrea Nordquist, “If there is a veteran event on Long Island, Lisa and Wayne are there. Everything they do, they do with selfless hearts.” Nordquist will be joining Stevenson-Mathews as a co-presenter of the Homefront Award at the Awards Ceremony and Fundraising Gala on February 3rd.

While in existence for just over two years, thanks to the support of the community the Tribute and Honor Foundation has already made a significant impact on Long Island. Beginning with a mission to help VFW Post 347 with its rebuilding efforts following its devastating fire in 2021, the organization's scope of service has grown to serve veterans and their families across Long Island.

On August 24th, 2021, Stevenson-Mathews, a Long Island-based voice and speech coach, received a distressing text message about a fire at the VFW. Witnessing the heroic response of the local Fire Department, Police, and EMS, Stevenson-Mathews decided to take action, marking the birth of the Tribute and Honor Foundation.

Chef Jeanine DiMenna, owner of Glen Cove's The View Grill, played a pivotal role in the foundation's inception, providing space for meetings and hosting the first Awards Ceremony at her restaurant.

The organization's first event in February 2022 garnered significant community support, leading to the formation of a committee and the establishment of the foundation. In just over two years, the Tribute and Honor Foundation has become a robust entity with a board, liaison committee, and dedicated volunteers.

The foundation, now a full-fledged 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has raised close to $50,000 for the Glen Cove Post, has partnered with organizations such as Team EVA and Operation VEST in supporting veterans and their families, and is a proud supporter of the Glen Cove Libraries VetNow Program, providing veterans with academic tutoring and assisting with employment transition.

The foundation recently announced the Ben Farnan Scholarship, named after the Korean War veteran and recipient of the 2022 Legacy Award. Proceeds from the 2024 Phoenix Rising Awards and Fundraising Gala will benefit the Farnan Scholarship Fund.

The board, led by President Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, includes key members such as 1st Vice President Connie Pinilla, Esq., 2nd Vice President Harold Bollaci, Esq., Secretary Angelina Stanco-Stone, Treasurer Thomas Bunger, and board members Lydia Wen Rodgers and Mike Gadaleta. The Liaison Committee comprises individuals from various organizations, including Glen Cove Boy Scout Troop 6, Team E.V.A., Patriot Guard Riders of New York, Rolling Thunder Inc., Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce, Military Blue Star Mothers NY 14, VFW Post 347, and CEC Health Care, to name a few.

Sponsors for the Tribute and Honor Foundation’s 2024 Phoenix Rising Awards include Event Sponsor - Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, Silver Star Sponsors - American Community Bank and Glen Cove Hospital, Bronze Star Sponsors - Bollaci Law Group, PC, Lydia and Michael Rodgers, Gaitley and Jim Stevenson-Mathews, Gregor Industries, Emerge Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Glen Cove Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Meritorious Service Sponsors - Maccarone Law, Manzione Dentistry, North Coast Internal Medicine, PC, Mayor Pam and Bob Panzenbeck, Howard and Mary Stillwagon, Warren T. Wasp, Better Water, CareFirst Home Solutions, Celeste Gullo Insurance Agency, Compass - The Connie Pinilla Team, Glen Cove Republican Committee, Glengariff Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, GSM Communications, John Perone - State Farm Insurance, Loggia Glen Cove #1016 Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, The Mansion at Glen Cove, Phoenix Diversified Group, and The Regency at Glen Cove.

The Tribute and Honor Foundation, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is on a mission to pay tribute to and support veterans and their families. For information on the foundation or to purchase tickets or sponsorships for the upcoming Awards Ceremony and Gala, please visit www.phoenixrisingawards.com.