Hampton Bays Students Pay Heartfelt Tribute To Vet

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Just in time for Veterans Day, Hampton Bays students paid heartfelt tribute to a local veteran recently.

The Hampton Bays School District is honoring John Lenihan by flying an American flag in his honor throughout the month of November.

“The district is proud to honor Mr. Lenihan for his bravery and service to the United States,” said Superintendent of Schools Lars Clemensen.

As part of the annual Veterans Day breakfast and ceremony held Nov. 7 at Hampton Bays Elementary School, fourth grade students read Lenihan’s biography, spoke about the importance of Veterans Day and sang the songs about the five branches of the Armed Forces, the district said in a release.

Born in Astoria, Queens in March 1948, Lenihan moved with his family to Commack at 10 years old. In July 1966, the year after graduating from Commack High School, he joined the U.S. Air Force and underwent basic training in Amarillo, TX, the district said.

Next, he went on to aircraft mechanic technical training and was assigned to Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC. There, he worked on EB66-C aircraft, which provided cover in the form of electronic counter measures for U.S. fighter and bomber planes, the district said.

In June, 1968, Lenihan was transferred to a U.S. air base in Japan to respond to the hijacking of the USS Pueblo, where EB66-C planes he had worked on were used to patrol the skies off the coast of North Korea. In May the following year, he was transferred again, this time to an air base in Thailand to support U.S. F-105 bombers flying missions over Vietnam.

In April 1970, Lenihan left the Air Force and returned home. He worked as a service manager at General Tire before landing his long-term career as a Suffolk County police officer in 1972.

During the next 21 years, Lenihan served as a plain clothes officer, then highway patrol officer and, ultimately, as a detective. In 1976, not long into his law enforcement career, he earned his college degree from New York Institute of Technology.

After retiring from the police department, Lenihan attended St. John’s University to obtain a degree in security administration. He went on to work in corporate security for Equitable Life Insurance, Bank One and JP Morgan Chase. His responsibilities included security operations, fraud investigations and security for more than 60 bank branches in Suffolk County.

Lenihan married his high school sweetheart, Geri, in 1967. Together, they have two sons, Thomas and Michael; a daughter, Tracy; and three grandchildren, Ryan, Casey and Kiarra. He and his wife also enjoy their two dogs, Quincy and Riley. He has been a Hampton Bays resident for the last nine years.

In 2015, Lenihan began working as a bus driver for the Town of Southampton’s senior services department, bringing senior citizens to their medical appointments. In addition, he is an active member of the American Legion Post 924.

Photo courtesy of the Hampton Bays School District.