Northport Veteran to be Honored as 'Hero of the Night' at Ducks Game

A Northport man will be recognized for his military service at Saturday’s Long Island Ducks game through the Heroes of the Night program.

This program will honor local veterans and active duty service men and women at every Long Island Ducks home game during the 2015 season.

When Jim Mahoney heard he would be honored as a Hero of the Night, he said, “I was very, very surprised.”

Mahoney will receive ten complimentary tickets to Saturday’s game and will have access to the Duck Club, the Long Island Ducks’ elite restaurant and bar.

“My children will be there with their spouses,” Mahoney told Patch. “It’ll be nice to bring everybody together.”

Mahoney was in the Army for two years during the mid-1950s and spent 1.5 years stationed in Germany. He is the past-commander of the Northport American Legion and has served on the Board of Directors since 1995. Mahoney is actively involved with the Boys and Girls State Program, the Northport Running Club and is an active volunteer of the Northport Fire Department. He was named the National Volunteer Fire Council’s Firefighter of the Year in 2002.

About 100,000 United States veterans live in Suffolk County, which is the largest veteran population in the state, according to County Executive Steve Bellone.

“Our veterans are not only the Heroes of the Night, they are our heroes every day and it is an honor for all of us to say thank you in such a meaningful way,” Legislator Steve Stern said.

This initiative is a new partnership between Suffolk County and the Long Island Ducks.

Veterans and active duty personnel can register to be recognized as one of the Heroes of the Night by calling (631) 853-5020 or via email at scheroesofthenight2015@suffolkcountyny.gov.

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