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FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of southern Connecticut, including the following areas, Northern Fairfield, Northern Middlesex, Northern New Haven, Northern New London, Southern Fairfield, Southern Middlesex, Southern New Haven and Southern New London, northeast New Jersey, including the following areas, Eastern Bergen, Eastern Essex, Eastern Passaic, Eastern Union, Hudson, Western Bergen, Western Essex, Western Passaic and Western Union, and southeast New York, including the following areas, Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), New York (Manhattan), Northeast Suffolk, Northern Nassau, Northern Queens, Northern Westchester, Northwest Suffolk, Orange, Putnam, Richmond (Staten Island), Rockland, Southeast Suffolk, Southern Nassau, Southern Queens, Southern Westchester and Southwest Suffolk. * WHEN...From 2 PM EDT this afternoon through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - - Heavy rainfall results in the potential for flooding. While much of the flooding is expected to be localized, significant flooding is possible due to rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Especially along fast responding rivers and streams, and in more urbanized locations. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Rep. LaLota Honors Stony Brook Native Nate Bruckenthal on 20th Anniversary of Ultimate Sacrifice

Local News

By Published: April 29 2024

LongIsland.com

“Nate Bruckenthal epitomized the highest ideals of selflessness and sacrifice, consistently placing his country's needs above his own life,” said LaLota.

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Rep. LaLota Honors Nate Bruckenthal on the House Floor.

Today, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) honored Stony Brook’s Nate Bruckenthal, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great nation on April 24th, 2004. Last week, LaLota spoke on the House floor to honor Bruckenthal.

“Nate Bruckenthal epitomized the highest ideals of selflessness and sacrifice, consistently placing his country's needs above his own life. His courageous actions not only saved numerous fellow Sailors but also stand as a testament to his unwavering bravery and heroism,” said LaLota. “In the face of grave personal peril, Nate's bravery serves as a poignant reminder of the extraordinary courage our service members aspire to embody. His dedicated service to our nation shall forever remain etched in our collective memory.”

Background:

Nate Bruckenthal was born in Stony Brook, NY, and joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1999. He was later stationed on the USCGC Point Wells based out of USCG Station Montauk.

Because of his unique skills and abilities, he was chosen to be among the first Coast Guardsmen deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in early 2003. While there, he received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon for action in and around the port of Um Qasar.

In March 2004, at the request of his command staff, he volunteered for a second deployment to Iraq. Only weeks after discovering that his wife was carrying his unborn child, Nathan Bruckenthal and two U.S. Navy sailors were killed when a suicide bomber attacked their rigid hull inflatable boat. Nathan had been chosen to become a part of the Taclet’s training unit and his job that afternoon was to instruct Navy personnel on how to conduct maritime interdiction operations. The team observed a suspicious vessel, which did not heed their commands. The team intercepted the vessel. This selfless act of courage protected the crew aboard the U.S.S. Firebolt, the off-shore oil platform, and the oil terminal itself at Khawr Al Amaya, in the northern Arabian Gulf.

For this action, Nathan was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with oak leaf, and his second Combat Action Ribbon. He was laid to rest with many of America’s best at Arlington National Cemetery. Nate is the first Coast Guardsman killed in action since the Vietnam War.