Islip Supervisor Nolan Announces
Long Island MacArthur Airport
5K Run for Veterans
Urges Long Islanders to
Run in Support of Veterans
Brookhaven Supervisor Lesko Presents
“Defining Moment” to Islip Town
To Raise Awareness of PTSD among Veterans
Ronkonkoma, NY (5/4/11) - With the goal of raising funds to help military veterans in Suffolk and Nassau counties, the Town of Islip will host the second annual Long Island MacArthur Airport 5K Run for Veterans on June 4. Flanked by Army National Guard soldiers and Blackhawk helicopters that served in Iraq, Supervisor Phil Nolan and Commissioner of Aviation Teresa Rizzuto, along with Town Board members, announced the run at a news conference held adjacent to the race course, one of the airport’s four runways. Nolan urged Long Islanders to join the nearly 1,300 runners who last year raised $45,000 for veterans. “Our military and their families have paid an enormous price these past ten years,” said Nolan.”We owe them our support. This run is a great way to make a tangible difference.” The run is part of the Sayville Summer Series, which includes five local races sponsored by the Sayville Running Company. All funds will benefit Long Island 9-1-1 Veterans, a homegrown non-profit organization that assists Long Island veterans and military families in times of personal crisis. Click on the 5KRunforVeterans tab on the flylima.com homepage for more information.
Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko and Deputy Supervisor Kathleen Walsh joined Islip officials to present “Defining Moment” a powerful portrait of one soldier’s courage that raises awareness of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which afflicts many of our military veterans. The painting, a re-creation in oil of a Pulitzer Prize winning photograph by Warren Zinn (Army Times) depicts Pfc. Joseph Dwyer, a Long Islanders and Army medic whose struggle with PTSD and untimely death has become a symbol of the battles many veterans face when they return home.
Christopher Delany, Executive Director of Long Island 9-1-1 Veterans stressed that “all funds go directly to help veterans who need help with specific needs such as car repairs, rent subsidies and medical co-payments - small grants that can make a big difference for a veteran struggling with civilian challenges.” Among the sponsors present were two companies with a major Long Island presence - BAE Systems and NBTY - the event’s “Medal of Honor” sponsors. BAE Systems executive Donna Linke-Klein said, “BAE Systems is committed to our soldiers on and off the battlefield. We are proud to sponsor this wonderful event and meet the needs of our veterans and active duty military.” Jim Flaherty, SVP for NBTY and of NBTY Helping Hands Charity said, "We're honored to be part of this great event and extend a helping hand to the many Long Island men and women in need who have proudly served our country."
Deputy Supervisor Gene Parrington, a decorated Vietnam-era Marine and the Town Board’s Liaison for Veteran Affairs along with Town Board members Trish Bergen-Weichbrodt and Steve Flotteron were also on hand for the announcement. Parrington ran in the race the first year as did Nolan and Councilman John Edwards, along with many Town of Islip employees. “This race is a great opportunity for town employees to join with the community to support our veterans,” said Commissioner Rizzuto who last year greeted every runner and walker as they crossed the finish line and intends to do so again in June.
"It has been an honor to have this iconic painting of PFC. Dwyer prominently displayed at Brookhaven Town Hall for the past year and I am proud to present it to Supervisor Nolan and the Town of Islip,” said Supervisor Lesko. "His image served as a reminder of the heroic actions that our men and women in uniform perform each day and it also reminds us that we must do everything possible to help our returning heroes make a successful transition back into civilian life." Deputy Supervisor Walsh stressed that the painting serves “as a reminder of the sacrifice our military make for us whether it be on the battlefield or upon their return home.”
Pictured left to right on left side of painting: Chris Delaney, Director of 9-1-1 Vets; Dave Chan and Artie Turner, LIMA law enforcement officers who founded the 5K; Kathleen Walsh, Brookhaven Deputy Supervisor; Mark Lesko, Brookhaven Supervisor; and Danny Dwyer, brother of Joseph Dwyer; back row: Brian Dwyer, brother of Joseph Dwyer; and to right of painting: Teresa Rizzuto, Commissioner of Aviation; Phil Nolan, Islip Supervisor; Councilwoman Trish Bergen-Weichbrodt; Donna Linke-Klein, BAE Executive; James Flaherty, NBTY Executive, and Councilman Steve Flotteron.
About Long Island MacArthur Airport
The Town of Islip owns and operates Long Island MacArthur Airport (LIMA) located in Ronkonkoma, NY, 60 miles outside New York City. More than 3,000 people fly LIMA each day, making LIMA one of the top mid-size airports in the Unites States. The entire airport community is proud to support our veterans and promote an appreciation of our military heritage through the Hometown Heroes Welcome Program, General Douglas MacArthur Memorial Fund, and of course, the Long Island MacArthur Airport 5K Run for Veterans. Go to www.flyLIMA.com for more information.
About the Fraternal Order of Police
The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) is the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 325,000 members and over 2,000 lodges. They are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protect and serve our communities. The FOP helps increase the safety of the communities they serve through education, legislation, information, and community involvement. Islip Lodge 862 of the FOP is committed to supporting our local Long Island veterans by partnering with the Town of Islip’s airport administration to organize the first Long Island MacArthur Airport 5K Run for Veterans. Go to www.fop.net for more information.
About Long Island 9-1-1 Veterans
Long Island 9-1-1 Veterans is dedicated to assisting Long Island veterans who are experiencing short-term emergencies, often as they struggle to cope with the difficult challenges of re-entering civilian life after serving in combat areas. Although 9-1-1 Veterans serves veterans of all eras, the most pressing need now is to support new veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Go to www.911Veterans.com for more information.
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