Veteran Support Organization Prepares to Enter Third Year

The Tribute and Honor Foundation is working to make a difference in the community.

Many may remember the Award Ceremony and Fundraising Event sponsored by the Tribute and Honor Foundation (formerly Phoenix Rising Committee) held in February 2022 and again in February 2023. To date, with the gracious support of the community, the young veteran support organization has helped sponsor programs such as the VetNow Program at the Glen Cove Library, has honored over twenty Long Island veterans and veteran supporters via the Phoenix Rising Awards, and has raised over forty thousand dollars to aid Glen Cove’s local VFW Post with the rebuild of their hall following a devastating fire in August of 2021.

Things have been moving fast for the young organization. It began as simply an idea of local voice and speech coach, Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews. In December of 2021, in response to a fire at VFW Post 347, Stevenson-Mathews reached out to his good friend, Chef Jeanine DiMenna, of Glen Cove’s The View Grill, and along with a few other friends, within a few weeks, plans were underway to host a fundraiser and awards ceremony at the restaurant, an event that would ultimately not only raise significant funds for the post but that would also put in place an awards ceremony honoring many veterans and veteran supporters on the North Shore. “We were all moved by the great turnout and the response to the award ceremony aspect of the event,” said DiMenna. “When in a follow-up meeting Gaitley suggested we might want to consider creating a board, hosting the event annually, and more formally establishing an event that would honor veterans and veteran supporters across Long Island, everyone agreed and the Tribute and Honor Foundation was born.”

“In the beginning, it wasn’t easy,” admits Stevenson-Mathews, who now serves as president of the foundation, “but there was such a strong sense of importance to what we were doing and everyone was on board to do whatever it took to honor our veterans and support veterans and their families here on Long Island.” One of the first orders of business was to bring structure to the handful of volunteers involved and to begin the process of incorporation and securing non-profit status.

Stevenson-Mathews founded a non-profit theater company when living in Dallas, Texas and also founded the Flora Macdonald Legacy Foundation in his home state of North Carolina, a foundation that still supports the upkeep of a historic structure and a school housed in the building. “While having a background in developing structure was handy, I also knew I needed a core group of board members to make the dream of the foundation a reality,” stated Stevenson-Mathews.

He immediately went to work to secure the people needed to move the organization forward. By May of 2022, the handful of volunteers had grown to a board of seven members, a Liaison Committee of twelve members, and the fledgling foundation was well on its way to planning its 2nd Awards Ceremony and fundraising event. Angelina Stanco-Stone, who serves as the foundation’s secretary and is a founding board member, recalls, “We really didn't think about it much. We were all committed to doing what we could to help and to pay tribute to our veterans. As we grew, everyone seemed to find a place.”

The initial board members included Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews as founder and President of the Board, Jeanine DiMenna as Co-founder and Vice President, Angelina Stanco-Stone as Secretary, Noah Stone as Treasurer, and board members Eva Casale, Mike Gadaleta, Dana Glidden, Connie Pinilla, Esq., Mary Stanco, and Mary Suddell. While a few of the initial members have had to either step down due to work obligations or have taken other positions within the organization, the core structure established by the founders has remained in place as the board welcomed new members in 2023 including Tom Bunger, who serves as Treasurer, Harold Bolaci, Esq., who serves as 2nd Vice President, and Lydia Wen Rodgers, who serves as a board member and as Online and Media Content Officer.

Days before the recent Announcement Event and Press Conference held at the North Shore Historical Museum, the 2023 board was sworn into office at Glen Cove City Hall by Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck. “I know each of the board members and am aware of their commitment to our veterans. I was pleased to be invited to officiate at the swearing-in ceremony of the new board of the Tribute and Honor Foundation,” said Mayor Panzenbeck. “Any individual or organization that supports our veterans deserves our support. I have watched this organization grow and commend all of them for their work and commitment. Our veterans must always know that we are here to love and support them!”

The 2023 Tribute and Honor Foundation board includes the following members: President and Founder, Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews; 1st Vice President and Founding Member, Connie Pinilla, Esq.; 2nd Vice President and Legal Counsel, Harold Bollaci, Esq.; Secretary and Founding Member, Angelina Stanco-Stone; Treasurer, Thomas Bunger; Founding Board Member, Mike Gadaleta; and, Board Member, Lydia Wen Rodgers.

The Liaison Committee includes the following: John Blazich and John Sullivan, Glen Cove Boy Scout Troop 6; Eva Casale, Team E.V.A.; Virginia Gaudio Cervasio, Heroes Among Us; Wayne Cohen, Patriot Guard Riders of New York and Rolling Thunder Inc.; Fred DiMenna, PhD, Community Support; Roger Kilfoil, Honor Flight Long Island; Dr. Maxine Mayreis, Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce; Andrea Nordquist, Military Blue Star Mothers NY 14; Susan Rassekh, Glen Cove Hospital Northwell Health; Howard Stillwagon, VFW Post 347; and, Mary Suddell, Glen Cove and Emerge Centers for Nursing and Rehabilitation. Jeanine DiMenna serves as Co-Founder and Member Emeritus.

At the Swearing-in Ceremony, all board members signed the foundation's bylaws drafted by 2nd Vice President Harold Bollaci, Esq. and approved by the board in August of this year. Additionally, the board announced the creation of a Scholarship to be named in honor of past Phoenix Rising Award Recipient and Korean War veteran, Ben Farnan.

The Foundation’s 1st Vice President, Connie Pinilla, Esq., who also serves as President of the North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, joined Stevenson-Mathews in presenting the Legacy Award to Farnan at the inaugural award ceremony in 2022. “I was very honored to join Gaitley in presenting the Legacy Award to Mr. Farnan in 2022 and am thrilled that we are establishing this Scholarship in his honor,” said Pinilla. “Mr. Farnan’s commitment to his fellow veterans and to our community serves as an extraordinary example of how one can serve one’s community and one’s nation with great honor and integrity. When it was suggested that our annual scholarship be named in Mr. Farnan’s honor, I was very pleased to cast my vote in favor of the resolution. Mr. Farnan’s life will forever be held up as an example to our young people for generations to come.”

A portion of the proceeds from the 2024 Phoenix Rising Awards will be used to create an endowment to fund the scholarship and the award will be presented to a graduating senior each year who is either entering the military or entering a military academy. “I was surprised when Gaitley called me,” said Farnan, “But, also so very touched that the Tribute and Honor Foundation has chosen to name their scholarship in my honor. The scholarship will hopefully make a real difference in a young person’s life who chooses to serve our country. I am very humbled but honored, especially due to the graciousness of the organization.”

At the Sunday, September 24th, Announcement Event and Press Conference held at the North Shore Historical Museum, the Tribute and Honor Foundation named the eight recipients to receive awards at the foundation’s Phoenix Rising Awards. The Third Annual Awards Ceremony and Gala will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville. A description of the eight awards to be presented in February follows along with information on each of the award recipients who were named at this past Sunday’s Announcement Event.

LEGACY AWARD - Anthony Anzalone
The LEGACY AWARD is presented to a veteran for the veteran's long-time commitment to serving fellow veterans, and the Community. The award recipient who was named this past Saturday to receive the 2024 LEGACY AWARD is Anthony Anzalone.

Anzalone is a lifelong Glen Cove resident, a retired Army Colonel - having spent more than 28 years serving our nation, and a long-time member of Glen Cove American Legion Post 76, where he serves as Adjutant to the Post. During the course of his career, he was on several overseas deployments and has been the recipient of the Legion of Merit Award, three Meritorious Service Medals, 11 Army Commendation Medals, six Overseas Medals and Airborne Parachutist Wings.

LEADERSHIP AWARD - Luke Whitting

The LEADERSHIP AWARD is presented to a veteran for the veteran's exemplary leadership in serving fellow veterans, and the community. The award recipient who was named this past Saturday to receive the 2024 LEADERSHIP AWARD is Luke Whitting.

Whitting is Commander of Glenwood Landing American Legion Post 336 and was a member of the 2/501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division where he served for more than five years. He later served in Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and provided base defense which allowed Special Forces to conduct combat operations against ISIS-K. In March 2018, Whitting was re-deployed to Fort Bragg and in January 2020 he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD - Chad Ryals

The COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD is presented to a veteran for the veteran's work in going over and beyond the call of duty in serving fellow veterans and the people of the North Shore. The award recipient who was named this past Saturday to receive the 2024 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD is Chad Ryals.

Ryals was born and raised in Converse, Louisiana, and is the seventh generation of his family to serve in the military. He is the current Chaplain of James E. Donohue VFW Post 347. Chad is a highly decorated former U.S. Army Ranger with the 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment. Among his many awards are the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts. After service, Chad started a National crisis hotline for veterans.

VOLUNTEER AWARD - Dave Christie

The VOLUNTEER AWARD is presented to a veteran in recognition of his or her service as a volunteer in supporting fellow veterans and the community. The award recipient who was named this past Saturday to receive the 2024 VOLUNTEER AWARD is Dave Christie.

Christie, who is a longtime VFW Post 347 member, enlisted in the United States Navy on June 3rd, 1967, and served two 7-month Vietnam cruises aboard the USS Bennington. In addition to his military service, Christie joined the Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department in 1972, was an active member of the department for twenty five years, and is a fifty-year life member.

IMPACT AWARD - Derek Valance

Recognizing the strong relationship that exists between our returning veterans and first responders, the IMPACT AWARD is 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. The award recipient who was named this past Saturday to receive the 2024 IMPACT AWARD is Derek Valance.

Valance is a lifelong Glen Cove resident, a graduate of Glen Cove High School, a former Navy SEAL, and a current officer with the Glen Cove Police Department.

HOMEFRONT AWARD - Lisa and Wayne Cohen
The HOMEFRONT AWARD is presented to non-veterans for their outstanding service to the veteran community. The award recipients who were named this past Saturday to receive the 2024 HOMEFRONT AWARD are Lisa and Wayne Cohen.

The Cohens are tireless members of Rolling Thunder New York Chapter 6, an advocacy group whose purpose is to bring full accountability for the “Prisoners Of War’ and “Missing In Action” of all U.S. wars. With the roar of their motorcycles, the Cohens participate in rides and demonstrations throughout the region to promote public awareness.

FRONT RUNNER AWARD - Honor Flight Long Island

The FRONT RUNNER AWARD is presented to an organization that has made a major impact by being the “front runner” in supporting veterans and the families of our veterans. The organization named this past Saturday to receive the 2024
IMPACT AWARD is Honor Flight Long Island.

Receiving the award on behalf of the foundation will be Honor Flight Long Island President, Bill Jones, Honor Flight Long Island Vice President, Roger Kilfoil, and the organization’s board.

Honor Flight Long Island’s mission is to sponsor Long Island Veterans with a free trip to view their memorials in Washington, D.C. Since its inception, the Honor Flight Network has supported the veteran community by flying over 250,000 veterans of WWII, Korean and Vietnam, and veterans of any service era who are critically ill to see their memorials at our nation’s capital.

AWARENESS AND REMEMBRANCE AWARD - Stefan and Jenny Hespeler

The AWARENESS AND REMEMBRANCE AWARD is presented to individuals who have worked to heighten awareness as it relates to the alarming rate of suicide among our active service members and veterans and who have encouraged all of us to remember service members and veterans who have perished due to suicide. The award recipients who were named this past Saturday to receive the 2024 AWARENESS AND REMEMBRANCE AWARD are Stefan and Jenny Hespeler.

The Hespelers are veteran advocates and founders of Operation VEST, an organization with a mission to eradicate suicide one person at a time by addressing the different needs of our veteran population. Since 2020, the organization has promoted programs aimed at creating awareness and removing the stigma associated with mental health so our veterans and active military can heal.

The September 24, 2023 event was attended by members of James E. Donahue VFW Post 347, Glen Cove American Legion Post 76, Glen Cove American Legion Young-Simmons Post 1765, Glenwood Landing American Legion Post 336, Boy Scout Troop 6, elected officials including Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck, County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Councilman Grady Farnan, Councilwoman Barbara Peebles, Councilwoman Danielle Fugazy Scagliola, and Former Councilman and City of Glen Cove Director of Veteran Affairs Tony Jimenez, Board Members of the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce, the North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and TEAM E.V.A.

Refreshments were provided by Frank’s Beverage, The View Grill, and St. Rocco’s Bakery.

Following Sunday’s event, Retired Colonel Anthony Anzalone, who is a member of Glen Cove’s American Legion Post 76 and will be receiving the 2024 Legacy Award, said, “I am very honored to be receiving the Legacy Award. The Tribute and Honor Foundation has worked so hard to honor all of our veterans. I hope we have a strong turnout in February.”

Reached at his home in Glen Cove, Henryk Nowicki, Commander of VFW Post 347, and 2023 recipient of the Leadership Award added, “This group of individuals have not only helped raise significant funds to help with the rebuild of VFW post 347, they have also put together a very impressive annual event honoring all of our veterans. I was also very pleased to hear about the Tribute and Honor Foundation’s scholarship being established to honor Korean War Veteran and former Commander of the Post, Ben Farnan. Our Post is grateful to everyone in the city and nearby communities who have helped make the rebuild of our Post possible.”

President of the Glen Cove City PBA, Ryan Nardone, commented “We could not be more proud of Officer Derek Valance and are pleased he will be receiving this honor. Having grown up in Glen Cove, not only does he have a strong grasp on the needs of the community, his experience in having served our nation as a Navy SEAL brings a wealth of knowledge in protecting our residents. We are futunate to have Officer Derek Valance on the force. The Glen Cove PBA congratulates Officer Derek Valance and all of those who will be honored.”

While Operation VEST Founders, the husband and wife team of Stefan and Jenny Hespeler, shared that they are humbled and honored to be receiving the Awareness and Remembrance Award, they expressed that they are also grateful for the opportunity to shine light on the escalating challenge of suicide in the veteran community. “Every single day, more than twenty US veterans die by suicide. According to the CDC and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention there are 25 “unsuccessful” attempts for every “successful” suicide per day.” said Stefan Hespeler. “We applaud the foundation for choosing to draw attention to this issue, one that is close to our hearts. Operation VEST’s mission is to eradicate suicide one person at a time by addressing the different needs of our veteran population. We are appreciative for the opportunity to bring attention to this issue and to our mission,” added Jenny Hespeler.

“It is truly a team effort. None of this would be possible were it not for the help of Jeanine DiMenna, Co-founder and Member Emeritus, our officers, our board, the liaison members, the sponsors, the volunteers, and the strong support of the community.” said Tribute and Honor Foundation President Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews. “Most importantly, we are appreciative of our veterans, our service members, and their families for their sacrifice in preserving our freedom.” added Stevenson-Mathews.

Tickets to the February 3rd Awards Ceremony and Fundraising Gala are already on sale via the foundation’s website noted below. The event will be held at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville (NY) starting at 6:00 pm. Discounts are available to veterans, for tables of ten, and to those who purchase tickets early.

Given that last year’s event was sold out, organizers are urging everyone to secure their tickets well in advance of the event. Sponsorship opportunities are also already available via the website. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Ben Farnan Scholarship Fund.

The Tribute and Honor Foundation is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to pay tribute to and support veterans and their families.

For information on the Tribute and Honor Foundation or to purchase tickets or sponsorships for the foundation’s upcoming Awards Ceremony and Gala, please visit
www.phoenixrisingawards.com