Friday, June 13, 2025
Mount Sinai South Nassau hosted its eighth annual Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 7, recognizing the men and women who have served the nation. At the hospital’s main campus, veterans, hospital staff, local leaders and community members gathered to celebrate service as well as perseverance, resilience and compassion.
Suheil Genovese, co-chair of the MSSN Veterans Committee and a U.S. Army veteran, described the success of initiatives like Suits on Soldiers, which provides veterans in need with clothing. Since its beginnings three years ago, the program has expanded to include Coats on Soldiers and Shoes for Soldiers.
This year’s Veterans Bake Sale also broke records, raising over $4,800, with the proceeds going to Folds of Honor, an organization that provides educational scholarships to families of fallen and disabled service members. U.S. Navy veteran and the hospital’s director of safety and security Steve Biscotti presented a check for $5,000 to Robert F. Garrison VFW Post 3350, in East Rockaway, highlighting the hospital’s community efforts.
Oceanside resident Leslie Etwaroo, an Army veteran and the hospital’s information service director, was presented with a Mount Sinai South Nassau Veteran Employee Scholarship in recognition of his commitment to his education, and to helping fellow veterans. Etwaroo has been donating suits to Suits for Soldiers, a cause he feels strongly about, for the past five years.
“The biggest appreciation is for these veterans,” Etwaroo said. “Even getting this award for all of them, and all the fallen brothers and sisters that put their lives on the line all the time, I appreciate them all, the past and the present, and hopefully the future as we continue to serve.”
Etwaroo, 53, completed his undergraduate degree and MBA at Adelphi University, and is now studying for a doctorate in business administration at Marymount University. His ultimate goal is to become a professor, and share his wealth of real-life experience with future business leaders.
“I have all this breadth of experience,” he said. “I think it would be helpful to give back to the next generation and future generations, and give back to kids to show them all that could be done
Etwaroo took an untraditional educational path, having joined the military right out of high school. After he served in the Army, life and work took priority over school for many years, but he later realized the importance of education for personal and professional growth, which motivated him to return to school. He believes strongly in the power of education, and wants to be a role model for his six children and four grandchildren.
“As I got older, I realized that knowledge is very important, especially when you’re trying to move forward, whether it’s in career, life and personal relationships,” he said.
John Banham, a 99-year-old Army World War II and Korean War veteran and military entertainer, was honored for his service. Banham served as a telegrapher in World War II, and entertained troops with music in Korea.
One of his significant memories from Korea was when Banham was chosen to repair a clarinet, leading to a special assignment in the military band. He also recalled being shot in the pinky and declining a Purple Heart because he didn’t feel he deserved it for such a minor injury.
A lifelong artist, Banham has long channeled what he sees into works of art. Growing up during the Great Depression, he carved Native American figures out of peach pits. Today he creates scenic landscapes using only tiny strips of paper.
“He taught us all the love of music,” his son Johnny Banham said. “We all played piano. I was a stage carpenter for the Metropolitan Opera House, and he taught me everything about woodwork. He’s very, very, very good with his hands.”
While Johnny highlighted his father’s love for music, carpentry, and artwork, describing how he created wooden chess sets and beautiful mosaic art pieces, Banham’s daughter, Eva, recalled the family values her father instilled in them.
“He also taught us to be patient, kind, loving, and think of family,” she said.
