Thursday, October 1, 2026
Planning is underway for the fifth annual Tribute & Honor Awards Ceremony, with organizers encouraging community members, businesses and organizations to support the event through ticket purchases and sponsorships ahead of the celebration at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville.
Hosted by the Tribute & Honor Foundation, the annual ceremony has become a North Shore tradition, drawing supporters from Glen Cove and across Long Island to recognize veterans and those who serve military families. This year’s event on Feb. 7 carries added significance, marking both the foundation’s fifth anniversary and the nation’s 250th birthday.
“It is a significant year in that it is our fifth year of the celebration of our awards ceremony, and it is also the 250th anniversary of our nation,” said Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, co-founder and president of the Tribute & Honor Foundation. “Granted, for us it’s kind of a young history, but it’s still a milestone for the foundation, being that we just began back in 2021.”
Founded as a grassroots nonprofit, the Tribute & Honor Foundation works year-round to celebrate and support veterans and military families. Locally, the organization is known for co-sponsoring the Glen Cove Salutes Military Tribute Banner Program at Morgan Memorial Park, helping install the veterans monument on Vinnie’s Island, and administering the Ben Farnan Scholarship Program for graduating high school seniors entering the U.S. military.
“We began as a very grassroots organization. We had no idea that we would be where we are now,” Stevenson-Mathews said. “The response of the community has emboldened us to move forward, and we feel so fortunate to be able to grow and serve not only Glen Cove, but Long Island in a significant way.”
This year’s honorees represent multiple generations of service, from World War II remembrance to modern-day veteran advocacy.
Philip Como, a Vietnam War Marine Corps veteran and longtime civic leader in Sea Cliff, will receive the Leadership Award. Reflecting on how veterans were treated after the Vietnam War, Como said, “There’s still a part of me that remembers 1971 when being a veteran wasn’t cool. I’m very happy the country kind of decided that it wasn’t the warriors that were the problem. It was the wars.”
Despite the recognition, Como said he remains uncomfortable with public praise.
“It was my honor to serve,” he said. “They don’t have to thank me,” adding that he is grateful to share the evening with about 20 family members.
Also among those being recognized is the late Simone Renaud, who will receive the Front Runner Award posthumously for her lifelong dedication to honoring Allied soldiers and supporting their families following World War II.
“Her historical significance is giant, especially for our World War II veterans and for the North Shore because of her kindness shown to our American soldiers after D-Day,” Stevenson-Mathews said. “It’s an incredible legacy that we are celebrating.”
Renaud’s son, Maurice Renaud, will travel from France to accept the award on her behalf.
Officer Owen Valance, a former U.S. Navy air crewman now serving with the Glen Cove Police Department, will receive the Impact Award. Valance recently completed a 22-mile PTSD Awareness Kayak Challenge to raise awareness for veterans’ mental health.
Glen Cove Police Chief Chris Ortiz said military service often leads veterans into public safety careers.
“It’s the same mindset — a sense of service to others and a duty to help the community,” Ortiz said. “Owen works very hard for us and has done an excellent job in his years of service here.”
Como also described how his time in the Marines had a tremendous impact on his life, and described his gratitude for the experience, despite the inherent dangers and challenges.
“My time in the service was probably the best education I had in my life,” Como added. “My time in Vietnam was, well thank God I got through it, and my other experiences in the military were all good.”
The Tribute and Honor Foundation will host its fifth annual Tribute and Honor Awards on Feb. 7, at the Crescent Beach Club, 333 Bayville Ave., Bayville. The evening begins with cocktails from 6 p.m. to 6:45, followed by an opening ceremony with a color guard at 6:45 p.m.
Advance tickets are $100, with a discounted $90 rate for veterans; prices increase after Jan. 18. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket purchases go to TributeandHonorFoundation.org.
