The Tribute & Honor Foundation announced Sunday, Sept. 14, the eight local veterans and veterans supporters it will honor at its fifth annual gala at the North Shore Historical Museum in Glen Cove. The award ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 7.
The Tribute & Honor Foundation was started in 2021 as a way to honor and support local veterans while assisting them and their families. The foundation offers veteran services, awards student scholarships, and hosts events to foster community.
“Today’s announcement was more than a press conference—it was a gathering of hearts, history, and gratitude… I am profoundly honored to serve alongside our board and volunteers as we recognize this extraordinary class of honorees and prepare for what will be our milestone 5th Annual Awards Ceremony,” said Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, the president of the foundation, at the press conference.
Local leaders, as well as the late “Mother of Normandy” Simone Reneud will be honored by the Glen Cove-based Tribute & Honor Foundation.
Peter Carbone, Owen Valance, Philip Como, Scott Whitting, and Robert Freeland will represent the local community at the award ceremony. Long Island Cares and Eileen Shanahan, representing the Warrior Ranch Foundation, will also be awarded, as well as the late Normandy activist Simone Reneud.
Carbone will be given the Community Service Award for his 50 years of active membership at Bayville’s American Legion Post 1285. Carbone — who served in Germany as a tank driver in 1964 and 1965 — has led scholarships and remembrance events, including the Veterans Day Dinner Dance.
The foundation said he partners with local Boy Scouts and is a member of Loggia Glen Cove and the Knights of Columbus.
The Impact Award will be given to Valance, a former U.S. Navy Aircrew member and current Glen Cove police officer. In August, Valance completed the 22-mile PTSD Awareness Kayak Challenge with his brother, Derek.
The challenge, in which participants kayak from Connecticut to Port Jefferson, raises funds for veterans’ mental health.
“Officer Valance represents the best of Glen Cove. His service to country and community, and his leadership in the PTSD Awareness Challenge, show his deep commitment to others,” said Glen Cove Police Chief William Whitton.
The Leadership Award will be given to Como, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and former Sea Cliff deputy Mayor. Como received the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V.”
Como served as a volunteer firefighter and as commander of American Legion Post 456. He organizes the annual Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony in Sea Cliff.
The Legacy Award will be given to Scott Whitting, a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran. The foundation said Whitting served in Vietnam with the MIKE Force and earned the Bronze Star and Soldier’s Medal, among other honors.
Whitting is retiring as a major in the New York Guard, but continues serving with the Glenwood Fire Company and the Glenwood Landing American Legion Post 336.
The Volunteer Award will be given to Freeland, a Vietnam veteran who served in the 34th Engineer Battalion and earned the Army Commendation and Vietnam Service Medals.
Freeland, a Port Washington resident, currently serves as commander at the Port Washington VFW Post 1819.
The Homefront Award will be given to Long Island Cares for its work combating food insecurity. The non-profit’s veteran services work to provide food, resources, and support to veterans and their families. CEO Paule Pachter will accept the award in February.
The Awareness and Remembrance Award will be given to Shanahan and the Warrior Ranch Foundation. Shanahan’s foundation uses equine therapy and horse rescue to support veterans and raise awareness of suicide.
The foundation is based in Calverton and, according to its website, offers a “safe haven of healing and well-being for veterans, first responders and horses.”
Honoring an international activist, the Front Runner Award will posthumously be awarded to Reneud, who has been dubbed the “Mother of Normandy.” Reneud is from St. Mere Eglise in France and helped American soldiers during World War II.
Before her death, Reneud worked with residents in Locust Valley, St. Mere Eglise’s sister city. Her son, Maurice Renaud, spoke with students at Locust Valley Middle School in 2023.
“This event reflects the best of our community. The Tribute & Honor Foundation ensures our veterans and families are not forgotten, and I am proud that Glen Cove is home to such meaningful work,” said Glen Cove Mayor Pam Panzenbeck.
