Honored for serving

Michael Wolkow of Oceanside was one of 16 veterans to be honored by Brian Curran, 21st District Assemblyman, at a Veterans’ Hall of Honor event at St. Mary’s/Maris Stella Council # 2228 Knight of Columbus in Lynbrook on Nov. 1, but he couldn’t attend the ceremony. He had a “prior, long-standing commitment,” he said.

Every year, Curran invites and recognizes several veterans from the area with a special ceremony, thanking them for their service and patriotism to their country and community.

“This special event offers our community the opportunity to celebrate the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to ensure our freedoms and our way of life,” said Curran. “We owe everything that we enjoy today to those who answered the call to serve their country and each of our veterans deserves our gratitude and respect. This recognition is but a small token of appreciation for everything that they have achieved for this great nation and its citizens.”

Wolkow was invited to attend, but had to decline.

Wolkow enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 and served for three years in Germany. For the next 27 years, he served in the Army Reserves, mostly at Fort Totten, located in Queens. He retired as a Colonel, and in 1985 began practicing law. His office and his home are in Oceanside.

Though he could not make it to the ceremony, he said that Veteran’s Day is “always a special time.” He said he feels fortunate, after three decades in the Army, that he is “still in one piece.”

The other honorees were Robert Kipp, Paul Civitano and Jerry Lange of Rockville Centre, James Dillon, Robert Slattery and Patrick Dolan of Lynbrook, Michael Guerriero and Peter Johansen of West Hempstead, Alan Barish of Baldwin, John Meyer of South Hempstead, William Glynn of East Rockaway, Robert Kennedy of Freeport, Robert Guarneri of Franklin Square, Arthur Swanson of Malverne and Jack Sharkey of Valley Stream.