Pictured from left: Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano; Ralph Esposito, Director of Veterans Service Agency; Steve Bonom, President of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 82; and Bob Chiappone, Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano honored the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, along with the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 82 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart, for their work in organizing a collection for Hurricane Harvey relief. Due to their efforts, and the generous donations of Nassau County’s Veterans, over $5,000 was raised in just 3 hours. The money was collected at the annual Nassau County POW-MIA ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 7 at Eisenhower Park.
“I want to thank Director Ralph Esposito and the Veterans Service Agency, as well as VVA Chapter 82 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart for their constant dedication to helping our veterans, and now for directing their generosity to the people of Texas who need it most,” said County Executive Mangano. “I also want to thank the Veterans who have sacrificed so much to protect our homes and our freedoms, and now have given so generously to help our fellow Americans who are suffering.”
Veterans made monetary donations throughout the POW-MIA ceremony, as well as the annual Veterans BBQ picnic that followed. Collections were handled by VVA Chapter 82 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. VVA Chapter 82 presented a check for $5100, which they are forwarding directly to the “One Star Foundation” in Houston, Texas, where it will be used for Hurricane Harvey Relief efforts.
The Vietnam Veterans of America is an organization dedicated to advocating for issues important to Vietnam Veterans, including: seeking full access to quality health care; seeking the fullest possible accounting of America’s POWs and MIAs; and supporting the next generation of America’s war veterans. The Military Order of the Purple Heart is an organization whose mission is to: foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans; promote patriotism; support necessary legislative initiatives; and to provide service to all veterans and their families.
