Veterans named to Hall of Honor

James Dillon of Lynbrook was one of the recipients of Assemblyman Brian Curran's Hall of Honor distiction. Pictured were Curran, Dillon, Lynbrook Mayor Bill Hendrick and Deputy Mayor Alan Beach.

Assemblyman Brian Curran honored 16 local veterans at a Veterans’ Hall of Honor on Nov. 1 at the St. Mary’s/Maris Stella Council #2228 Knights of Columbus in Lynbrook, at noon.
Every year, Curran invites and recognizes several veterans from the area with a special ceremony, thanking them for their service and patriotism to their country and community.
The local veterans honored were James Dillon, Patrick Dolan and Robert Slattery, all of Lynbrook; and William Glynn of East Rockaway.
 “This special event offers our community the opportunity to celebrate the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to ensure our freedoms and our way of life,” said Curran. “We owe everything that we enjoy today to those who answered the call to serve their country and each of our veterans deserves our gratitude and respect. This recognition is but a small token of appreciation for everything that they have achieved for this great nation and its citizens.”
The following East Rockaway and Lynbrook veterans were among those honored last Saturday:

James Dillon
     Born in Brooklyn in 1924, Dillon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps shortly after High School. He was quickly chosen for Sea School after basic training and sent to Norfolk, Virginia where he was trained and eventually assigned to the USS Langley CVL27.
    Dillon joined the Fast Carrier Task Force 58-3, which was the main striking force of the United States Navy, in the Pacific War Zone and spent 18 months fighting our enemies.
    For his service in World War ll, he was awarded 13 battle stars. Dillon lives in Lynbrook with his wife, Stella, and has five children and nine grandchildren.