Last weekend, Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) joined Walt Whitman High School Principal Kathleen Acker and Eagle Scout Thomas Ciravolo gathered at Islip-MacArthur Airport to welcome home local World War II veteran Santo Squillacioti, after his “Honor Flight” to Washington, D.C. Through this special program, Acker and Ciravolo escorted Squillacioti, who does not have the resources or strength to make a traditional trip, on a tour of our nation’s capital.
“Our veterans have given so much on behalf of our community and our nation, and our remaining WWII veterans have earned the title ‘the greatest generation.’ The WWII Memorial in Washington stands as a stoic reminder of the service and sacrifice this tremendous group of men and women made on behalf of our nation during a time of need. The ‘Honor Flight’ for Mr. Squillacioti is a well-deserved recognition, and today, almost 70 years after the war’s end, we still owe a debt of gratitude to our servicemen and women. It was an honor to help send off Santo and pay my respects to a man who gave so selflessly and asked nothing in return,” said Lupinacci.
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While in D.C., Acker and Ciravolo escorted Squillacioti on a tour of the many monuments and memorials, which concluded with a visit to the WWII Memorial. Lupinacci joined local well-wishers to greet the group when they returned from the trip.
