It was a very special night for John C. Donovan, 10-year commander of the William Bradford Turner Post 265 of the American Legion. Garden City Village officials recently honored the longtime resident with a citation in recognition and heartfelt appreciation of his many years of military service to his country.
At the July Garden City Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Donald Brudie announced that Donovan will be relocating to Charlottesville, VA and leaving his hometown. “We cannot allow John to leave without paying him homage for his duty to country, state and the Village of Garden City,” Brudie said.
For the past 10 years, John and the American Legion hosted the Memorial Day parade and the Veterans Day ceremonies. “John, along with several Legionnaires, and together with Trustees Donnelly, Cavanaugh and myself, served on the Veterans Memorial Committee. As everyone knows who has seen that memorial, it was a beautiful tribute dedicated to deceased military heroes of this village,” Brudie added.
In 1966, Donovan graduated U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He went on to 87th Airborne Division training and ranger schools, serving in Germany and in combat during the height of the Vietnam War in 1969. Donovan has been a recipient of numerous awards and was elected to the Veterans Hall of Fame by the New York Senate in 2010.
“On behalf of the village of Garden City, my fellow trustees, I am honored to present him with a citation,” Brudie said.
A room full of grateful villagers stood to clap for the humble Donovan, who offered thanks after receiving the award. “I am deeply honored,” Donovan said.
— M. Argueta
