Suffolk County College Dedicates Veterans Plaza At Northampton Campus - 27 East
logo logo logo logo

Education / News / Southampton Press / 1430945

Suffolk County College Dedicates Veterans Plaza At Northampton Campus

icon 13 Photos
The plaque honoring Sergeant Louis Bonacasa will be hung on the wall in the Stars and Stripes Lounge on campus. VALERIE GORDON

The plaque honoring Sergeant Louis Bonacasa will be hung on the wall in the Stars and Stripes Lounge on campus. VALERIE GORDON

The event begins with the presentation of the colors by members of the 106th Air Rescue Wing. VALERIE GORDON

The event begins with the presentation of the colors by members of the 106th Air Rescue Wing. VALERIE GORDON

Suffolk County Community College President, Shaun McKay thanks everyone for coming. VALERIE GORDON

Suffolk County Community College President, Shaun McKay thanks everyone for coming. VALERIE GORDON

Deborah Bonacasa holds back tears. VALERIE GORDON

Deborah Bonacasa holds back tears. VALERIE GORDON

The space behind the Peconic Building is officially dedicated Veterans Plaza with the unveiling of the plaque. VALERIE GORDON

The space behind the Peconic Building is officially dedicated Veterans Plaza with the unveiling of the plaque. VALERIE GORDON

The space behind the Peconic Building is officially dedicated Veterans Plaza with the unveiling of the plaque. VALERIE GORDON

The space behind the Peconic Building is officially dedicated Veterans Plaza with the unveiling of the plaque. VALERIE GORDON

Deborah Bonacasa applauds the veterans who have served. VALERIE GORDON

Deborah Bonacasa applauds the veterans who have served. VALERIE GORDON

Shannon O'Neill thanks veterans for their service. VALERIE GORDON

Shannon O'Neill thanks veterans for their service. VALERIE GORDON

All of the veterans gather in front of the plaque for a group photo. VALERIE GORDON

All of the veterans gather in front of the plaque for a group photo. VALERIE GORDON

Wife to Louis Bonacasa, Deborah Bonacasa, stands with Meredith Starr, assistant professor of visual arts. VALERIE GORDON

Wife to Louis Bonacasa, Deborah Bonacasa, stands with Meredith Starr, assistant professor of visual arts. VALERIE GORDON

Bonacasa family members wear a sweatshirt with a photo of Louis printed on the back. VALERIE GORDON

Bonacasa family members wear a sweatshirt with a photo of Louis printed on the back. VALERIE GORDON

Joseph A. Cognitore proudly served in Vietnam from April 1969 through March 1971, where he held the ranks of Acting Platoon Sergeant and Acting Platoon Leader. VALERIE GORDON

Joseph A. Cognitore proudly served in Vietnam from April 1969 through March 1971, where he held the ranks of Acting Platoon Sergeant and Acting Platoon Leader. VALERIE GORDON

Louis Bonacasa's sister, Raquel Bonacasa remembers her brother. VALERIE GORDON

Louis Bonacasa's sister, Raquel Bonacasa remembers her brother. VALERIE GORDON

authorValerie Gordon on Nov 9, 2017
The brisk weather did not stop roughly 150 people, including several dozen veterans—some of whom are currently enrolled at one of Suffolk County Community College’s three campuses—from attending Wednesday morning’s... more

You May Also Like:

Lance Gumbs on the Shinnecock Nation's Westwoods Gas Station and Travel Plaza | 27Speaks

Lance Gumbs, the vice chairman of the Shinnecock Nation Council of Trustees, recently spoke to ... 12 Dec 2024 by 27Speaks

Southampton DWI Arrests for the Week of December 12

William Campos Lopez, 26, of Speonk was arrested on December 8, at 3:40 a.m., by Quogue Village Police charged him with aggravated DWI, a misdemeanor. He was pulled over after being observed speeding and failing to maintain his lane on Montauk Highway, police said. A subsequent investigation revealed he was intoxicated, with a breath test revealing a blood alcohol level of .18, according to police. He was held for morning arraignment and then released. Francisco Chiroyej-Calon, 28, of Riverhead was arrested shortly after 7 p.m. on December 7 and charged with misdemeanor DWI after he was pulled over on Springville ... by Staff Writer

Southampton Police Reports for the Week of December 12

WESTHAMPTON BEACH — On December 4, a person reported receiving a suspicious postcard at the Westhampton Beach Post Office. The person stated to Westhampton Beach Village Police that the postcard had disturbing and false information regarding a finch bird. Officers informed the person that they had seen similar postcards distributed in an online format. WESTHAMPTON BEACH — On December 5 at 10:59 a.m., Village Police conducted a traffic stop of a Honda Accord traveling north on Old Riverhead Road and impounded the car because the driver did not have a license. The driver was charged with second degree aggravated unlicensed ... by Staff Writer

The Final Step

As Southampton Town considers aggressive action on sand mines, with plans to use amortization — a tool last used effectively to rid the town of nightclubs and bars the town considered nuisances — to finally end the practice, it’s important to cut through the rhetoric and state some facts. Sand mines serve a clear purpose and have economic value in a region where construction is a primary driver. But the town quite simply does not allow sand mining — that decision was made years ago, and what mines exist today are preexisting and nonconforming. Amortizing the properties is the last ... 11 Dec 2024 by Editorial Board

Keep Talking

Talk is not a solution, but solutions won’t be found without a great deal of interplay between the officials making the decisions and the public that will be affected by them. So The Express Sessions event last week in Sag Harbor, which focused on the village’s parking woes, was, along with future public hearings before the Village Board, necessary for there to be any traction on the subject. In fact, one clear message at Thursday’s session, delivered by those in attendance: Communication is absolutely crucial. And it has been one area where the village can improve. Restaurateur Jesse Matsuoka, who ... by Editorial Board

Great Buys

It’s not every day that an opportunity comes along to buy a castle. But that’s exactly where Southampton Town officials found themselves this week. Using $4 million in proceeds from the Community Preservation Fund, the Town Board agreed to buy the Casa Basso property in Westhampton — which contains a restaurant and a 120-year-old diminutive reproduction of a Spanish castle. The town plans to create a waterfront park on the newly preserved property. And not only did the town buy a castle, in a separate transaction it also agreed to buy 25 acres in East Quogue — 10 acres of ... by Editorial Board

Croquet Club Pleas to Town for New Home, but CPF Rules a Sticky Wicket

The Southampton Town Board has, for at least the time being, shelved a pitch by ... by Michael Wright

Expanded Retirement Benefits Legislation Could Help Address Shortages for Paid EMS Staff

New legislation introduced by State Senator Monica Martinez will soon give paid first responders in Suffolk County the option to retire after 25 years of service, an enticement that could help address staffing shortages and boost recruitment of paid EMS workers. Service districts will be able to elect to include certain EMS personnel in the state pension plan. Originally approved in 2023, the plan was able to move forward thanks to a companion bill outlining a clear mechanism for fire districts to opt in. Governor Kathy Hochul’s signing of the new measure now establishes that process. “Serving your community as ... by Cailin Riley

Southampton Town Will Pay $1 Million To Ensure Sag Harbor Hunting Preserve Remains

The Southampton Town Board will pay the new owner of the former Spring Farm game ... by Michael Wright

Battle Lines Form as Southampton Town Board Holds Hearing on Sand Mine Amortization Law

The battle lines were clearly drawn as the Southampton Town Board on Tuesday opened a ... by Stephen J. Kotz