A sold-out crowd packed the room Saturday night as the Tribute and Honor Foundation hosted its 5th Annual Tribute and Honor Awards Ceremony and Fundraising Gala on Feb. 7, marking a milestone year for the organization with its largest turnout to date.
Veterans, families, first responders, elected officials and community leaders from across Long Island gathered to recognize eight honorees whose leadership and service have strengthened the veteran community and those who support it.
“It is always meaningful to participate in the Tribute and Honor Awards,” said Pam Panzenbeck. “This event unites our community in recognizing veterans and their supporters, and the record turnout shows the wide-reaching support for this mission across Glen Cove and Long Island.”
Foundation President and Founder Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews said the awards were created to promote broader public understanding.
“These Awards go beyond individual recognition,” he said. “They are meant to shine a light on the challenges veterans and their families face and to help the broader community better understand the importance of service, advocacy, and support.”
This year’s honorees included five veterans: Peter Carbone, who received the Community Service Award; Officer Owen Valance, the Impact Award; Robert Freeland, the Volunteer Award; Philip Como, the Leadership Award; and Scott Whitting, the Legacy Award. Three supporters were also recognized: Long Island Cares Veterans Services, which received the Homefront Award; Eileen Shanahan and the Warrior Ranch Foundation, the Awareness & Remembrance Award; and Simone Renaud, honored posthumously with the Front Runner Award.
Although unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict, Glen Cove Police Chief Christopher Ortiz shared a statement of support for the foundation and for Valance’s recognition. He noted the department’s pride in serving the community and highlighted the importance of honoring veterans who continue their commitment to service as first responders.
Howard Stillwagon, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 347, reflected on the foundation’s growth since its founding in December 2021. He pointed to its efforts following the 2021 fire at the VFW Post, as well as initiatives such as the Ben Farnan Scholarship and the Military Banner Program in Morgan Park, as examples of its expanding impact.
Now in its fifth year, the Tribute and Honor Awards Ceremony has evolved into one of the region’s signature events, raising funds to support the foundation’s ongoing mission to serve veterans and their families. More information is available at TributeAndHonorFoundation.org.
