These words by this historic general uniquely presents the make-up of a veteran as an American citizen who has made a deposit of national service to the United States. This constitutional pledge to support our country at home and abroad demonstrates the long-standing strength of veterans to be the backbone of this strong nation. Even as military members were in uniform decades ago, today the older generations of veterans still make America proud for their initiatives to perform necessary contributions for our citizens.
One hundred and twenty-five years ago, returning veterans from the Spanish-American War in Cuba and the Philippines wanted better assistance from the government. In our early history, military members could not expect help from the government towards the wounds and ailments that they received from their time in uniform. Former veterans from Colorado, Ohio, and Pennsylvania began the early steps of gaining recognition as an official group in 1914 and later by Congress in 1936. The earliest mandate of the VFW was to help widows and orphans of service members, promote legislation, and ensure that patriotism and loyalty toward veterans were not forgotten by the government and people.
Last Saturday night, the Rocky Point VFW Post 6249 responded positively toward the responsibilities that were established by the founding members in 1899. Twenty members from this post that range from Vietnam War veterans to the War on Terror, presented the colors at a football game between Rocky Point and Eastport-South Manor. It was a special night that honored 2005 Rocky Point graduate Gregory Monz at the “Night of Service” that was created by the athletic department and head football coach Anthony DiLorenzo. This school remembered the four graduates that were lost from 9-11-01. Monz was an all-around great kid growing up in Rocky Point and was the first all-county football player for this school. He fought during the height of the insurgency as a Marine Corps Reconnaissance Scout Sniper at Camp Fallujah to help his fellow soldiers during this difficult battle. After operating in Iraq, Monz was sent to the Philippines and was detached to the Green Berets.
Married and living in the same home that he grew up in, he and his wife Kate are currently raising four boys. It was a special program that thanked all the current military members, police and the fire department who worked at Ground Zero and still support our people today. DiLorenzo was proud of the way his team competed to gain a victory, as his boys “mirrored” the hard work of service that was exhibited by his former player and Special Forces Sniper in Monz. And supporting this decorated combat veteran were the members of VFW Post 6249 who proudly “Welcomed Home” this veteran in front of his family.
For decades, this group has been led by their longtime Commander Joseph A. Cognitore who is driven to advocate for all veterans during times of peace and war. Every day, these members are instrumental in volunteering in veteran’s hospitals in providing companionship to many elderly veterans. During halftime, these veterans were proudly lined up in formation in front of a full-capacity crowd and saluted to the people during the Zac Brown song, “Chicken Fried.” Naval veteran Kevin Lyle, the “chef” for this organization, cooked hamburgers and hot dogs for several hours to help raise money for the VFW Post 6249 Suffolk County World War II and Military History Museum in Rocky Point.
On September 16th, this VFW demonstrated its sheer efforts to always help others. Through the 17th Annual VFW 6249 Patriots Golf Outing that was held at the Rock Golf Course in Wading River, there was a good deal of patriotic fervor. Many of the golfers are returning participants, who take the day off, to play on this beautiful course for a worthy cause. Again Cognitore, along with his committee that is led by Quartermaster Dan Guida and Officers Gary Suzik, Ray Semkow, Kevin Lyle, and Pat Biglin, they have been constant fixtures in helping ensure the success of this well-known outing. They have laid down the foundation of creating a patriotic function that has endured and evolved to meet the diverse needs of veterans.
This event starts with the registering of golfers and big handshakes and hellos, as it seems like yesterday, that they were just at the previous outing. Cognitore welcomes and thanks all players for taking time out of their busy schedules and financially helping our local and national veterans. Over the last several years, there have been thousands of foursomes, tee signs, donation sponsors, generous money for raffle tickets, and prizes that are won by these men and women. There is always a nice breakfast and a lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers that are cooked for them on the course. Every September, near the last Monday of this month, golfers are eager to take a day off work where they enjoy this patriotic camaraderie.
The spirit of this golf outing has flourished over the last two decades from the serious fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and will again continue next year to provide hope for our veterans. It is always a sight to observe the many different local and state veteran’s organizations that are pleased with the activities of this day. Like the charitable organization groups of the USO, the United Way, the Wounded Warriors, Tunnels for Towers, and the Red Cross, VFW 6249 may be in the small North Shore town of Rocky Point, but they are a goal-orientated outfit that proves their ability to handle numerous endeavors. As some of the 1.4 million members of the national VFW, we salute these citizens for their loyalty to promote and protect the ideals of veterans that were established by the founders in 1899.