Gallery of V.S. veterans' art on display

John Bonura, U.S. Army, was stationed in Japan from 1946 to 1947.

Cathy Schuchman/Herald

Bonura specializes in Native American themes.

Cathy Schuchman/Herald

Larry Cohen served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Korea.

Photos by Cathy Schuchman/Herald

John Lovalvo served in the Army from 1953 to 1955.

Albert Friscia was a tail gunner in the U.S. Air Force from 1944 to 1946.

Cathy Schuchman/Herald

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Eight local veterans with artistic tendencies had their works showcased in the Valley Stream Community Center on Nov. 11 as part of the village’s Veterans Day ceremony, and one piece from each will be on display in the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library through the end of the month.

Joe Lovalvo, Albert Friscia, John Bonura, Larry Cohen, Lee Gordon, Steven O’Neill, Bobby Sinram and John Sullivan each had framed pieces displayed in the Center. Lovalvo, Friscia, Bonura and Gordon attended the Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, where Mayor Ed Fare presented them with citations and recognized all eight for their artistic contributions.

“Our community center was transposed into a virtual art gallery,” Fare said. “Every room was filled with beautiful original paintings, sketches and wood collages.”

The artists and their periods of service are as follows:

Joe Lovalvo — U.S. Army, 1953-‘55

Albert Friscia — U.S. Air Force tail gunner, 1944-‘46

John Bonura — 25th Infantry, U.S. Army; Japan, 1946-‘47

Lee Gordon — U.S. Army, 1966-‘68

Larry Cohen — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Korea, 1951-‘58

Steven O’Neill — U.S. Marine Corps; active and reserve duty, 1968-‘74

Bobby Sinram — U.S. Army; Vietnam, 1964-‘66

John Sullivan — U.S. Army; Korea, 1951-‘52