Sen. Skelos remembers childhood friend from Rockville Centre

Sen. Dean Skelos was one of the many who visited Greis Park in Lynbrook from June 10-13 to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of the Vietnam War. Many visited the wall in hopes of finding the name of a loved one inscribed on the wall.

Skelos was able to find the name of his childhood friend from Rockville Centre, Gerald David Sorrentino, who had died in South Vietnam in 1968. He was 20 years old. Being at the wall, Skelos said, “Reminded me about the frailties of life and how Gerry sacrificed his life.”

On June 10, the Moving Wall, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, was set up in Greis Park for three days. Lynbrook held services nightly and members of surrounding communities were invited to pay tribute to America’s heroes and recall an important piece of history. People came either hoping to locate a name, or just to pay respect to those who served in Vietnam. Veterans displayed memorabilia and photos from their time in Vietnam.

Growing up, Sorrentino and Skelos played little league baseball together. Skelos recalled spending time in Mastic Beach at his grandparent’s summer bungalow, fishing and crabbing with his friend. “When you’re at that age, like we were, playing little league baseball, you don’t have a care in life, you just think you’re going to live forever, and unfortunately for Gerry that was not the case,” Skelos said. When he visited the wall on June 11, Skelos’ intentions were to look for Sorrentino’s name and to remember and pay homage to him. Sorrentino, a member of the U.S. Army, died on June 6, 1968 reportedly from artillery fire. He was not married and his body was recovered. He earned the Purple Heart, and the National Defense, Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign medals.

Skelos observed that when the Vietnam War ended, returning heroes were not given the respect or dignity that they deserved. “No matter whether you agree with a war or a military operation, we should always respect those who are in the service,” he said.

Skelos said that he hoped people would consider this when thinking of those who are serving now in Afghanistan and Iraq. “They are performing the duty they swore to, and we should respect and admire them,” he said.

Although Skelos does not keep in touch with Sorrentino’s family any longer, he still keeps him in his heart, he said, and fondly remembers their friendship and the summers they spent together.