CURRAN RECOGNIZES LOCAL VETERANS FROM LYNBROOK, EAST ROCKAWAY WITH VETERANS' HALL OF HONOR CEREMONY

Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook-21st AD) recently recognized and honored 16 local veterans at his annual Veterans’ Hall of Honor event at the St. Mary’s/Maris Stella Council #2228 Knights of Columbus in Lynbrook. This year’s honorees from Lynbrook were Paul P. Pette and Angelo LoMonaco (picture one); and from East Rockaway were Alfred Adler (picture two) and John A. Santino (not pictured). Family members and friends of the honorees were invited to celebrate in the recognition. Thanking the veterans for their service and patriotism to their country and community, Curran presented each honoree with an official New York State Assembly Proclamation.

“This is always a special event that gives our community the opportunity to celebrate and honor the brave men and women, like Paul, Angelo, Alfred and John, who sacrificed so much to ensure our freedoms and our way of life,” said Curran. “We owe everything that we enjoy today to those who are called to serve their country and each of our veterans deserves our gratitude and respect. This recognition is but a small token of appreciation for everything that they have achieved for this great nation and its citizens.”

Paul P. Pette was drafted into the United States Army Air Force. Paul went to Basic Training at Miami Beach, Florida, the largest basic training center of the Army Air Forces during World War II. From there, Paul went to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver Colorado for armament training. Later that year, Paul went to Gunnery School in Las Vegas, Nevada. On August 6, 1945, a routine bombing run was executed on the main island of Japan with what was assumed as routine ordinance cargo. Due to the secrecy of the operation, all the units involved in the operation were not suspecting anything out of the ordinary, as each unit had their own specific orders to carry out (logistical support, etc.). Unbeknownst to the entire 509th Bombing Group operations team was that one of the planes was actually flying with the first atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima.

Angelo LoMonaco, at the age of 17, enlisted in the United States Navy to serve in the Korean War. He ultimately served on the Destroyer USS Allen M. Sumner DD692. During his tour of duty, Angelo earned and received the following medals, citations or ribbons: the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, (E) Combat Action Ribbon, and the Korean War Service Medal. He achieved the rank of Petty Officer MM3 and was honorably discharged on April 4, 1955 and transferred to U.S.N.R. inactive duty until November 6, 1959.

Alfred Adler enlisted in the Army Air Force on November 30, 1942. He was in the 14th Troop Carrier Squadron in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His first campaign was in Africa in May 1943. After a short period of time Alfred and company were sent to Sicily, Italy. From Sicily, he was deployed to England and then to France. His final post was in Brazil before returning home. He was in three campaigns, and was awarded seven Battle Stars, and received other decorations as well. Alfred was honorably discharged on October 26, 1945.

John A. Santino was a child of the Great Depression and worked at an early age to help support his family. One of his earliest memories is becoming a “shoe shine boy” at the age of nine. John would walk several miles from his home on Saturday afternoons all the way to Queens Plaza, visiting many of the bars along the way asking if anyone was interested in a “nickel” shine. John had never left home until he entered the United States Army Air Corps during the height of World War II. His journey toward basic training was his first time ever on a train. John’s unit was part of the 3rd Air Force and he was stationed at Drew Field near Tampa, Florida. While he remained stateside throughout his service in the Army Air Corps, John was part of the important support system that helped train the pilots and other combat personnel.

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