Young Hero Gifted Beach Accessible Wheelchair At Greenport Legion

GREENPORT, NY — Tears and words of gratitude and thanks were the hallmark of a Veterans Appreciation Day at the Greenport American Legion, Burton Potter Post 185 that honored a young hero who was badly injured in the line of duty.

An anonymous donation by a caring Greenport American Legion member led to the donation of a beach-accessible wheelchair to 27th Airborne Engineer Battalion 1st Lt. Victor E. Prato, 25, of Somers, NY, a platoon leader who suffered a spinal cord injury after an improvised explosive device blast by a bomber who struck his vehicle while he was on duty in Kandahar, Afghanistan on Nov. 13, 2017.

His parents, Greg and Janet Prato, were onhand to accept the wheelchair for their son.

"This is just amazing," Janet said. East Marion, she said, holds very special memories for her son, who spent many happy memories at his grandparents' home there, enjoying the beach and the joy of the North Fork.

Although her son is currently still at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, FL, during a recent visit to the North Fork over the July 4 holiday, while he was able to get to the beach once, it was exhausting, she said. Now, the new wheelchair will help go to the beach and even into the water.

Her son, who pursued engineering, played football and was a member of the ROTC in Princeton, has a can-do attitude and an indomitable spirit, she said, working long, hard hours to regain his strength and ability to walk again.

"I had very much a never-quit mentality from the Army and football, so that didn't really occur to me," Prato said in an interview with PrincetonTigersFootball.com.

Prato was awarded the Purple Heart by President Donald Trump in December.

Her son, she said, looked right into the bomber's eyes before the blast that sent him flying from his vehicle.

And, despite the anguish of seeing her son injured, there is hope —and, she said, because he was thrown from the vehicle, it was the best possible scenario; he sustained no traumatic brain injury and has a fighting spirit that has already fueled great strides toward recovery. Most important, she said, "He's alive."

Her son is blessed, Janet said, by the "amazing outpouring" of love, caring and prayers, as well as visits from the many who are cheering on his recovery and invincible spirit. "He's a strong kid," she said.

Commander Kevin Cahill, who flew many missions on a Kitty Hawk also spoke, shining a light on the young hero's courage, of the courage of the many who serve and choose to face the unthinkable, even when filled with fear, to protect the nation's freedoms. "It's about just doing it —and not running away," he said.

The event honored all current members, potential members and all veterans who have served the United States. The celebration featured tours of the building, help with membership, a free buffet and open bar.

The Veterans Appreciation Day event also included a raffle and a display of Legion memorabilia that was salvaged during the re-construction that brought the beloved facility back to life in the village.

Free DVDs detailing the renovation of Bug Light were also given to veterans.

"Much like the renovation of the Greenport American Legion, the restoration of Bug Light is a heartwarming story of a community coming together to do great things," Mindy Ryan, general manager of the Legion, said. Additional copies are available for a $5 donation.

Burton Potter Post 185 was established in the 1940s. "After many years of renovation, we are opening our doors again and would love for you to come and enjoy the space," said Ryan in a letter to members. "This Post is located in the heart of the Village of Greenport and will once again be a vital part of the community."

Besides offering low cost roller skating for all ages the Legion plans to sponsor youth programs and community events while advocating patriotism and promoting devotion to members of the military and veteran affairs, she said.

Regular meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at the Greenport American Legion, 121 Third Street, Greenport at 7 p.m.

The Veterans Appreciation Day, she said, was the perfect opportunity to renew memberships and to introduce a veteran or a son of a veteran to the Post.

A membership desk was set up to issue membership cards to current members and assist potential members in filling out a membership application. Annual dues for the American Legion are $45. Annual dues for the Sons of American Legion are $15.

Those who were unable to attend on Wednesday should feel free to stop by for a visit or to discuss membership during any open skate session on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons, or email her at mindy@greenportamericanlegion.org, Ryan said. A full schedule can be found on the Legion's website.

North Fork Bodies In Motion, LLC was one of the partners for Veteran Appreciation Day; Marilyn LoPresti of North Fork Bodies in Motion was onhand, Ryan said.

Ryan thanked American Beech for their "amazing" and generous donation of sandwich platters.

It's critical, Ryan added, to shine a light on the Legion and shepherd it into its bright future.

"American Legion posts around the country are closing due to lack of membership. Our own membership has suffered greatly due in part to the building being closed for so long. Despite the fact that the roller skating rink is finally open and generating income to maintain the building, the American Legion Burton Potter Post 185's member meeting room upstairs is still closed. However, we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel," Ryan said.

Ryan said she has the building permit for the upstairs in hand, "hot off the presses from Village Hall. The Greenport American Legion is alive again and we want to share our accomplishments with our members and potential members."

The goal is also to welcome Sons of Legion members, and revive the SAL Squadron 185, "which, like much of the re-construction project, lost momentum with the sudden passing of George Costello," she said. The hope and goal, Ryan said, is to infuse the Legion with new membership and a long future in Greenport.

"George was the heart of it and I'm proud to walk in his shoes," Ryan said.

For additional information, visit the Legion's website here and the Legion's Facebook page here.

Patch photos by Lisa Finn.