Manhasset American Legion Auxiliary Unit 304

Snow, freezing rain, and then wind and rain greeted those attending Wreaths Across America on December 17.  Those gathered at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale were the largest in number since the tradition began.  It was almost as if each person there committed to attending for fear that others might not.  Representatives of Manhasset’s American Legion Auxiliary, American Legion and Boy Scout Troop 97 were among those present.

At noon Volunteer Location Coordinator, Harry Rathsam, approached the podium as he has done for years.  The wind and rain stopped, the umbrellas closed, and the ceremony began.  Harry explained the reasons for Wreaths Across America: to REMEMBER our fallen U.S. veterans, to HONOR those who serve and to TEACH children the value of freedom.

Remembering and honoring were both accomplished that day when many presented the names of family members and friends who are now serving or who had served or given their lives for our great nation.  Pat O’Brien, President of Manhasset’s American Legion Auxiliary, remembered 1^st LT Michael LiCalzi and his three fellow Marines who lost their lives together in Iraq in 2006.  The American Legion Auxiliary recently learned about Mike from his twin brother and Dad, both of whom are named Greg.  They founded “Ace in the Hole Foundation” to keep Mike’s memory alive and to offer assistance to veterans and others in need.  The Foundation made a very generous donation to the American Legion Auxiliary’s project which provided Christmas and holiday gifts to the veterans at the Northport VA Medical Center.

John D’Angelo and Selva Venkatesan, who attended with their children in Troop 97, took seriously the mandate to teach the value of freedom.  Adults and children alike were touched by the words quoted from President Ronald Reagan: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.  We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream.  It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

Some of the parents were Gold Star mothers and fathers, parents who lost their children to war.  It is always sad to speak to them privately, sometimes at the gravesite of their child.  But they share a common thread.  Their interest lies in telling the story of their child’s life, rather than their death.  The hugs given and received at such times carry the parent and the listener through what is always a difficult but beautiful day.

Hundreds of wreaths were available for placement.  Members of Troop 97 and the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary placed them on the graves of our nation’s heroes with reverence and respect.  Tasked with saying the name aloud to ensure remembrance, each did so and then returned home to research that hero to discover his or her mark on the preservation of freedom.

To learn more about the program and how you can participate in 2017 visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org or contact Pat O’Brien at patobrien17@msn.com.

Boy Scouts from Troop 97, John D’Angelo (Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 97), Pat O’Brien (President, Manhasset American Legion Auxiliary), Donald O’Brien (Legionnaire, Manhasset American Legion), Selva Venkatesan, (Service Coordinator, Troop 97 )

A roving photographer captured Andrea Manfredonia, C&Y Chairperson of Unit 336, along with Pat and Donald O’Brien, as they prepared to lay their wreaths.

The same photographer snapped Pat O’Brien as she searched for USMC 1st Lt Michael LiCalzi’s grave site.

Grave site of the twin brother of a Manhasset resident. Mike LiCalzi lost his life in Iraq.

God bless each of our American heroes…and God bless the United States of America

December 3^rd was a day to grant wishes, the wishes of veterans who have bravely served our country and are now residing or receiving treatment at the Northport VA Medical Center.  The Manhasset American Legion Auxiliary asked for assistance to make it a joyous holiday for our veterans and the help came in abundance.

Boy Scouts from Troop 97 and Pack 101 and Girl Scouts from Troops 527, 545, and 556 sat in the cold outside of Raindew which willingly supported the effort to provide our veterans with a memorable holiday season.  Manager John Hults said, “We can never forget them and we’re proud to support our local veterans.”  The Scouts made signs requesting monetary donations that would be used to purchase items on the “Veterans’ Wish List” and greeted each customer as they informed them of the project.

While that was happening, other Scouts, students, and American Legion Auxiliary and community members were in the American Legion Hall writing Christmas cards and making paper doily angels to adorn the packages.  Donations of toiletries, new clothing and Christmas ornaments arrived so volunteers began the long process of categorizing articles and putting clothing in size order.  Care to Knit donated a dozen handmade lap robes.  Local dentists, Dr. Harvey Passes and Dr. Steven Kornhaber, donated hundreds of toothbrushes, boxes of toothpaste, Polident and various dental hygiene products.  Our young volunteers made individual packages of these and the toiletries.

Everyone was introduced to an organization that was familiar to some but is now known to many more, Ace in the Hole Foundation.  Just before Thanksgiving, American Legion Auxiliary President, Pat O’Brien, received a call from Greg LiCalzi, Jr., President of Ace in the Hole Foundation, inquiring about the mission of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary.  After a lengthy discussion, both realized that their organizations had many common goals.  Greg and his Dad, also Greg, founded the Ace in the Hole Foundation following the death of Greg’s twin brother, Mike.  1^st LT Michael LiCalzi USMC lost his life in May 2006 while serving our country in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Mike was a member of the 2d Tank Battalion, 2d Marine Division.  The Battalion’s slogan is “Ace in the Hole.”  Greg and his Dad decided to turn their grief into a tribute to Mike’s bravery and sacrifice and to assist others through their charitable organization, Ace in the Hole Foundation.  On “Giving Tuesday,” just prior to the collection on December 3^rd, Greg, Jr. sent a message to the Foundation’s followers asking for donations.  The response was tremendous and Greg took the donations, shopped, and provided more than $900 of items on the “Wish List” for the veterans.  They also visited the Scouts at Raindew and gave them each a medal to remember Mike and to thank them for the work they were doing that day.  They did the same for everyone working at the Legion Hall.  Our youth experienced firsthand, up close and personally, the message that we have all been trying to teach, “Freedom is not free.”

As the day continued, the generosity of the Manhasset community increased.  The donations were immediately turned into items on the “Wish List.”  The staff at Raindew showed amazing patience as they helped search for the veterans’ requests and as items worth many hundreds of dollars were paid for with dollar bills and change!  The elves were busily wrapping at the Legion Hall and it became apparent that additional days were needed both to finish shopping and to complete the wrapping.  Manhasset’s youth and American Legion Auxiliary members remained undaunted and willingly agreed to come back on two other occasions to complete the task.

When finished, 193 individual gift bags had been prepared for our veterans.  There were many boxes of toiletries and decorations remaining which were also donated.  The gifts were valued at more than $5,000.  Three SUVs were filled on December 19^th with only enough remaining room in each for the driver.  When the little caravan reached the Northport VA Medical Center, the volunteers were greeted with hugs and looks of total amazement.  There were actually tears in the eyes of the staff accepting the donations.  It was extremely heartwarming that they were tears of joy in a location where tears are too often shed in sorrow.  Santa and his helpers arrived the next day to distribute to the veterans these and all the other generous donations that had been received from all over Long Island.

Thank you to each of you who contributed to such a huge outpouring of support for our men and women who have served our great country with no thought of self.  May you be blessed a hundredfold as we begin a new year.

Members and friends write cards for our Veterans

More members writing cards

Angel makers

An Angel for every gift bag

Greg LiCalzi and Greg LiCalzi, Jr., founders of Ace in the Hole, dropped off many donations that were courtesy of their followers

Thanks again

There are so many thank yous to be given to all

Greg and Greg, Jr. presented Ace in the Hole medals to all who assisted

Thanks to our Boy Scouts

Our Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and Junior Auxiliary members sought contributions all day from Raindew customers

Thank you for sitting in the cold to make our Veterans feel the warmth of kindness

Thank you for your donations

Thank you!

Thanks to the generosity of our Community and the management of Raindew, we filled many carts for our Veterans

More carts are filled

Each gift was wrapped with care

Wrappers busily at work

A view of what was accomplished

More gifts

And still more gifts!

Time to transport everything

The halls of the Northport VA Voluntary Services Department were filled with the donations for our Veterans

Santa and his helpers had much to do when our gifts were delivered

Manhasset Unit 304 held its annual holiday luncheon at the Jolly Fisherman on December  9.  In addition to enjoying the delicious food and splendid company, the Unit continued what has also become an annual tradition.  Corresponding Secretary Anne Hedberg shopped for and packaged children’s gloves/mittens, hats and scarfs.  Members purchased the gift packages, prepared cards for each and the gifts were then delivered to the Northport VA Medical Center for the children of our active military and returning veterans.  Thanks to everyone for another great year!