Manhasset Post 304 of the American Legion held its annual Community Service Awards Ceremony on March 5, recognizing individuals who have rendered commendable service to the Manhasset community.
The evening was graced with the presence of Nassau County American Legion Adjutant John Hasset and Law & Order Chairman Ron Sabo.
Eight individuals were recognized for exemplary service and were awarded a Certificate of Commendation.
The ceremony was chaired by Vice Commander James Brooks. The certificates were presented to each honoree by Post Commander Matthew Falcone.
The “Trooper of the Year” award was presented to Charles Weilminster of the New York State Police whose dedication to highway safety resulted in 87 DWI arrests in 2013. The citation was read by Sergeant Gary Lewis.
Nassau County Police Officer Lauren Blozis of the Third Precinct received the “Police Officer of the Year” award for her heroic effort in pursuing and apprehending a burglary suspect in Manhasset. Deputy Inspector Tom Corona related the story.
The “Detective of the Year” award was presented to David Januszewski of the Third Squad for his arrest of four subjects who had committed a push-in robbery and brutal assault, resulting in the subsequent death of the victim due to an overdose of pain medications. The citation was delivered by Detective Sergeant Steven Zeth.
Unit Citations were presented to Deputy Inspector Corona and Detective Sergeant Zeth. These citations are wall plaques containing the engraved names of the honored police officers and detectives throughout the years.
The “Ambulance Medical Technician of the Year” award was presented to Craig Demeo of the Emergency Ambulance Bureau of the Nassau County Police Department. For 34 years of service, four Lifesaving awards and a Medal of Commendation for rescuing a child from the second story of a Manhasset home after a tree had crushed the roof. AMT Supervisor Thomas Gaynor read the citation.
Two individuals from the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department were recognized next. The “Firefighter of the Year” award was earned by Firefighter Wayne Paradise for his 40 years of faithful service, during which he served as captain several times. Last year he responded to over 200 calls. Deputy Chief Mike Farrone discussed Paradise’s career in detail.
Tim Forsberg earned “Emergency Medical Technician of the Year” for responding to 428 calls in 2013. Noteworthy was his responding to two cardiac arrests where he defibrillated the patients, secured the airways with advanced techniques, started IVs, and applied medication thereby saving their lives with no neurological damage.
The “Firefighter of the Year” for the Plandome Fire Department was George P. Frooks. Frooks was honored for being a top responder to fire calls during the past year, his 30 years of service, and for his role as Safety Officer. The citation was delivered by Chief Kevin Murphy.
At the end of the program, Commander Brooks congratulated the honorees and thanked all of the friends and family who came to the ceremony.
Refreshments followed.
The Community Service Awards ceremony will be broadcast on PATV in May on Cablevision channel 20 and Verizon channel 37.
