In a time when gratitude can too easily become a slogan rather than a practice, Long Island offered a powerful reminder of what real appreciation looks like on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Tribute and Honor Foundation’s fifth annual Tribute and Honor Awards Ceremony and Fundraising Gala.
The sold-out evening at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville was more than a celebration; it was a statement about who we are as a community and what we choose to value.
Veterans, families, first responders, elected officials and civic leaders filled the room to recognize eight honorees whose lives of service and advocacy have strengthened the region’s veteran community. The record-breaking turnout spoke volumes. It said that on Long Island, service is still noticed, sacrifice is still respected, and leadership is still worth applauding.
At the heart of the evening was a simple but profound idea, articulated by the foundation’s president and founder, Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews: these awards are meant not only to honor veterans and their supporters, but also to shine a light on the issues that matter most to the veteran community. That dual mission—recognition and responsibility—is what sets the Tribute and Honor Foundation apart. It understands that gratitude is not passive. It is something you do.
Few embodied that spirit better than Robert Freeland of Port Washington, the recipient of this year’s Volunteer Award. A Vietnam War veteran who served with the 34th Engineer Battalion, Freeland has continued his service at home as commander of Henderson-Marino VFW Post 1819.
His leadership is not flashy, but it is constant—showing up year after year, making sure veterans are supported and never forgotten. As Frederick J. Blumlein, the post’s quartermaster, put it, Freeland has been a steady and dependable presence for the veteran community. In a world that often celebrates the loudest voices, it was fitting to honor someone whose impact comes from consistency, humility and commitment.
North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena’s remarks underscored another important truth: when we invest in veterans, we invest in the entire community. She pointed to the foundation’s Ben Farnan Scholarships, awarded to Paul D. Schreiber High School seniors entering military service, as a tangible example of how honoring the past can help shape the future. That kind of continuity—linking generations through service and responsibility—is exactly what strong communities do.
The other honorees reflected the many ways service takes shape.
Veterans like Peter Carbone, Philip Como, Scott Whitting and Officer Owen Valance were recognized not only for their military records, but for decades of leadership, advocacy and continued public service. Their stories remind us that for many veterans, the uniform may come off, but the sense of duty never does.
Equally important were the three veteran supporters honored this year. Long Island Cares Veterans Services, Eileen Shanahan and the Warrior Ranch Foundation, and Simone Renaud—honored posthumously—represent the essential truth that supporting veterans is a shared responsibility.
From food security and wraparound services, to raising awareness about veteran suicide and providing healing spaces, to preserving the memory of Allied soldiers overseas, these honorees show that care for veterans extends far beyond any single institution or border.
Now in its fifth year, the Tribute and Honor Awards Ceremony continues to grow in size and impact, but its real success can’t be measured only in attendance or dollars raised. It can be measured in the connections forged, the stories told, and the reminder it offers each year: that service matters, that leadership matters, and that remembrance is not just about looking back—it’s about how we choose to move forward.
Long Island is stronger because of its veterans and because of organizations like the Tribute and Honor Foundation that refuse to let their sacrifices fade into the background. On Feb. 7, in a room filled with gratitude and purpose, our community didn’t just say “thank you.” It proved it.
