Parking at the American Legion Post in Mastic Beach just got smoother thanks to generous donations from local companies in an effort coordinated by area officials.
Everyone involved met at the Arthur H. Clune Post 1533 to check out the finished project, including Post Commander Kenn Brown and past Commander Rick Rossi, along with Bob Miller and county Legislators Jim Mazzarella and Nick Caracappa, the Chair of the Legislature’s Veterans Committee.
They warmly thanked Louis Vecchia, President of Suffolk Paving Corporation, and Shaina Affatato, of Affatato Paving, for completing the job.
Post 1533 has been a fixture in the Mastic Beach community for decades, serving as a patriotic organization focused on service to veterans, active military, auxiliary members, and the surrounding community.
“It’s always important to give back to those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country,” Legislator Mazzarella said. “The men and women of the American Legion not only served our country in the Armed Forces but also continue to serve our community. I am truly grateful to Suffolk Paving and Affatato Paving for their generous donations. A special thanks goes to Legislator Nick Caracappa for partnering with me on this effort.”
Commander Brown expressed the post’s gratitude. “The new parking lot will greatly benefit our members and the community, who visit our post and take advantage of our facilities. We’re immensely grateful for the generosity of these companies and their owners and employees who appreciate our Veterans,” Brown said.
A little over a year ago, Commander Brown approached Legislator Mazzarella expressing the need for repaving. The existing parking lot had become old and weathered, and its decline had also become an accessibility issue for those using the facility. Since the American Legion Post is a volunteer service organization with limited financial resources, it also sought financial assistance to help make this new parking lot a reality.
“Today was a special day in giving back to our veterans, said Legislator Caracappa. “Suffolk County honors its veterans and greatly appreciates the services and sacrifices they have all made in their service to our country, and we are committed to ensuring every veteran receives the services and resources that they need and deserve.”
He went on to say: “What makes this project so special is that we had a tremendous contribution to our veterans by two incredible businesses within our community who donated the equipment, labor, and services to install this brand-new parking lot. This is the second time these two outstanding businesses partnered to donate a parking lot to our veterans. I am truly grateful for their generosity and willingness to go to such great lengths to help support our veteran communities here in Suffolk County.”
Louis Vecchia established his business in Medford in 1997. He started out by paving residential driveways and parking lots, and because of his tireless dedication and hard work, his business grew into what it is today. Suffolk Paving Corporation now has significant contracts with various municipalities to mill and pave roads throughout Long Island. In 1999, Vecchia expanded the business and established Cross Island Industries Inc., his own trucking company. Its large fleet transports asphalt materials for its contracts and offers outside hire as well.
Affatato Paving is located in Holtsville and has served Suffolk County since 1982. Company founder Stephen Affatato began working in the asphalt industry when he was 17 years old. Since then, Affatato Paving has expanded to provide asphalt, masonry, and asphalt maintenance. Stephen’s daughter, Shaina Affatato, who has worked in the family business since her youth, took control of running the company in 2016.
They had also partnered earlier this year to build a new parking lot at VFW Post 400 in Farmingville.