West Islip, NY - April 19, 2016 - Suffolk County Legislator Tom Barraga (R-West Islip) recently met with Ted and his spouse Mary, to present Ted with a Proclamation honoring him for his military service.
Ted volunteered for the United States Navy and served from 1964 - 1974. He was awarded the United States Navy Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device while serving with friendly foreign forces against the North Vietnamese.
Ted was a past Commander and member of the West Islip American Legion Post No. 1738 for over 12 years. He earned an Empire State College Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Services and graduated Stony Brook University with a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
Ted enjoys playing guitar and is a vital part of two Veteran guitar groups. He writes poetry and is a talented painter working in both water and oil acrylics.
Shown above is one of Ted’s paintings – his rendition of the famous photograph taken on February 23rd, 1945 by Joe Rosenthal depicting five U.S. Marines and a U.S. Naval hospital Corpsman raising a United States flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in WW II.
