The Tribute and Honor Foundation celebrated a milestone on Feb. 7, hosting its fifth annual Tribute and Honor Awards Ceremony and Fundraising Gala before a record-breaking crowd.
Veterans, families, first responders, elected officials and community leaders from across Long Island filled the sold-out event to recognize eight honorees whose service and leadership have strengthened the veteran community and those who support it.
According to foundation leaders, the annual awards are intended not only to recognize individuals, but also to raise public awareness about the challenges veterans and their families face and the importance of sustained advocacy and community support.
This year’s honorees included five veterans: Peter Carbone, who received the Community Service Award; Officer Owen Valance, honored with the Impact Award; Robert Freeland, recipient of the Volunteer Award; Philip Como, who earned the Leadership Award; and Scott Whitting, presented with the Legacy Award.
Three additional awards recognized supporters and organizations that serve the veteran community. Long Island Cares Veterans Services received the Homefront Award. Eileen Shanahan and the Warrior Ranch Foundation were presented with the Awareness and Remembrance Award. Simone Renaud was honored posthumously with the Front Runner Award.
Among those in attendance were Marisa Gambino, president of Loggia Glen Cove #1018, Sons and Daughters of Italy in America; her husband, Dr. Charles Gambino; and Joseph Gallo, the lodge’s immediate past president. Carbone, a longtime lodge member and veteran, was recognized during the ceremony for his years of service and quiet contributions to others.
Foundation President and Founder Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews reflected on the organization’s growth since its founding in December 2021. Established in the wake of the 2021 fire that damaged Glen Cove’s VFW Post 347, the foundation initially focused on grassroots efforts to support the local veteran community. Since then, its initiatives have expanded to include the Ben Farnan Scholarship and the Military Banner Program in Morgan Park, among other projects.
Howard Stillwagon, commander of Glen Cove’s VFW Post 347, noted the organization’s steady evolution and its ongoing impact on veterans and their families throughout the region.
Now in its fifth year, the Tribute and Honor Awards Ceremony has developed into one of the area’s signature veteran-focused events.
Beyond celebrating individual accomplishments, the gala serves as a key fundraiser supporting the foundation’s programs and its broader mission to honor service members, preserve remembrance and provide tangible assistance to veterans across Long Island.
