Pinning held for Vietnam vets

Center Moriches Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 414 and Rep. Andrew Garbarino presented a tribute to Vietnam War veterans on Saturday, Aug. 9.

“It is my privilege to [give] these lapel pins to our veterans,” Garbarino said.

Memorial lapel pins and official certificates were distributed to military veterans, as well as the families of deceased veterans.  The ceremony was offered as part of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration program.  The tribute serves to remind the public of the sacrifices made during the Vietnam War nearly five decades ago.

“[Garbarino] partnered with the United Sates of America Vietnam War Commemoration to host this pinning because [he wants] to honor those Vietnam veterans that call [his] Second Congressional District home and make sure they know they have the thanks of a grateful nation,” a statement released by Garbarino’s communications director Kristen Cianci read. 

Attendees assembled before 11 a.m. inside VFW Post 414’s gathering hall, on Main Street in Center Moriches. Veterans and their families were seated at tables inside the hall by VFW Post 414 and local service organizations such as Boy Scout troops. Garbarino officially began the ceremony at 11 a.m. with a speech.  Col. William Stratemeier spoke after Garbarino finished. 

“As a member of Congress, being able to honor veterans for their service is an honor,” Garbarino said.  “I am committed to fighting for them in Congress… I will always stand by our veterans.”

“Vietnam was a very difficult time in American history,” Stratemeier said.  “We need to do everything to honor and protect our [dying] veterans.  Our vets did not return to a hero’s welcome… they were labeled baby killers.”

Names of veterans, living and dead, were read off a list after Stratemeier ended his speech.  Surviving veterans were invited to step forward and receive the lapel pins, along with certificates from Garbarino and the organizers of the event.  If a named veteran was deceased, surviving family members could claim the pins and certificates in their stead.  Lucy Rivera accepted a pin and certificate for her husband, who died in 2021 on Veterans Day.

“[My husband] belonged to the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing,” Rivera said.

Garbarino said his father and grandfather were also military veterans.  VFW Post 414’s own commander, Robert Galbraith, is a Vietnam veteran.  He had been serving in Germany when the armed forces ordered him to transfer to the Vietnam campaigns. 

“I was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division—that was an artillery unit,” Galbraith said.  “I spent six months out in the field, and I drove in convoys.  They would put a battery of infantry and artillery at the top of a mountain [in order to create] a firebase.  I’m 100 percent disabled because of Agent Orange, like so many veterans.”

The final lapel pin and certificate recipients received their honors almost exactly at noon.  Event attendees were then invited to partake in refreshments, including wraps and beverages.

“We had vets come from Northport VA in a bus,” event attendee Miriam Gillies said.  “We used to have dinners for them.”

VFW Post 414 has hosted other ceremonies honoring veterans in the past, along with events designed to support the Moriches community.  The post currently plans to host a health screening event in September and a Halloween dance.

“All the tables were filled [for the pinning],” Galbraith said.