On Sunday, November 19, Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook-21st A.D.) hosted his annual Veterans Hall of Honor event. This event is meant to honor local veterans for their service to our country.

Among those honored were James Keane from Rockville Centre and David Rutkowski of South Hempstead. James Keane enlisted in the Army National Guard in December 1970 and did his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He did further training at Fort Rucker, Alabama as a truck mechanic. He was assigned to the 71st Infantry Division. He then transferred to the 102nd Engineer Battalion as Construction Specialist until his discharge in December 1976.

David Rutkowski was drafted into service during the Vietnam War as a combat soldier and later utilized his skills in transportation as a driver for the 16th Engineer Battalion. David was inducted into the U.S. Army on May 16, 1967, and dutifully served until discharged on May 12, 1969. Upon discharge, David was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. David was unable to attend the ceremony due to medical issues related to his service, but his son accepted the proclamation on his behalf.

“It is my great honor to recognize all these amazing and inspiring veterans. They have given up so much to protect the freedoms we enjoy in the U.S. To honor them like this is the least I can do as a thankful citizen. We owe veterans a debt we can never repay and must always remember freedom is never free,” said Curran.