Thursday, October 1, 2026
Local Vietnam veteran Martin Kielawa was one of 16 residents from the area recognized at an Oct. 24 ceremony at the Knights of Columbus building in Lynbrook for service in the armed forces.
“We owe everything that we enjoy today to those who are called to serve their country, and each of our veterans deserves our gratitude and respect,” said Assemblyman Brian Curran, who sponsors the annual Veterans’ Hall of Honor event. “This recognition is but a small token of appreciation for everything that they have achieved for this great nation and its citizens.”
Each honoree was presented with a proclamation from the state Assembly.
Kielawa is a Purple Heart recipient. He was born in Queens and moved to Valley Stream as a baby with his parents in 1951. He attended Clear Stream Avenue School and graduated from Central High School in 1968.
Kielawa was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970 and was sent to Fort Dix, N.J. for basic training. He attended advanced infantry training at Fort Polk, La. He deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry of the 7th Airmobile in December 1970, and served as the company’s radio telegraph operator for the last six months of his tour. Kielawa returned home in December 1971 and was honorably discharged in January 1972.
He married Patricia O’Connor in November 1978 and they had three children: Thomas, Daniel and Michele. They have three grandchildren: Patrick, Summer and Thomas.
Kielawa’s son, Thomas, is a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.
Kielawa joined American Legion Post 854 in Valley Stream in 1980. He served as vice commander for four years, and as adjutant for the last eight years. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2005. His hobbies include golf and gardening.
