Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg recognized Charles Vinciulla of Amityville as the 15th Legislative District's 2024 "Veteran of the Year" at the legislature’s general meeting on Tuesday, November 26.
Earlier this year, the Suffolk County Legislature approved a resolution establishing an annual recognition of a "Veteran of the Year" from each legislative district (IR1467-2024). This initiative coincides with the national celebration of Veterans Day and underscores Suffolk County's commitment to honoring the courage, patriotism, and sacrifice of our military veterans. Each November, legislators select a veteran residing within their district to be honored. This recognition celebrates the inspiring service of local veterans who have significantly contributed to their communities and our nation.
“When the idea of selecting a Veteran of the Year for our district came up, Chuck Vinciulla immediately came to mind,” said Minority Leader Richberg. “Chuck truly embodies the spirit of our armed forces and goes above and beyond supporting his fellow veterans. If Chuck hears a veteran is ill, he makes a personal call. If he finds out someone passed away, he contacts the family with condolences. Chuck’s outreach is enough for a full-time schedule, but he somehow gets it all done while still working a full week at his own cigar shop in Massapequa. Veterans look out for one another, and Chuck is just one example of Suffolk County’s incredible veteran community.”
Charles “Chuck” Vinciulla is a cornerstone of Suffolk’s veteran community. As commander of Amityville VFW Post 7223, he has rejuvenated post - bringing in newer, younger members; assisting families of veterans who have died; and even overseeing the renovation of the post’s building. He spends his time assisting other veterans - driving them to appointments, bringing them food, and two to three times a week, he stops by the Massapequa Center Rehabilitation & Nursing facility in Amityville to lift spirits. Vinciulla saw combat as a Navy Corpsman attached to the U.S. Marines, serving two tours of duty during the Vietnam War, and served for 38 years, including stints in the Navy reserves.