Mineola, N.Y- Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi announced today that he will send 52 bullet-proof vests to the 42nd Aviation Support Battalion Family Support Group for troops in Iraq.

County Executive Suozzi presents a citation to Teddy Sempepos, 10, of Long Island, NY as his mother Deborah Greene looks on

 The vests, which are used, were donated by the Nassau County Probation Department after Teddy Sempepos, 10, wrote a letter to the County Executive.  In the letter, Teddy asked the County Executive to help him collect bullet-proof vests to send to his father, John Greene, and the many other soldiers fighting overseas in Iraq.  Teddy is a student at Holy Family School in Hicksville.  He lives in Westbury with his mother, Deborah Greene, and his brothers Trey, 13, and Steven, 4, and his sisters Kaylee, 10, and Lilli-Ann, 1. 

“I am very pleased to be able to donate these bullet-proof vests to Iraq to protect our brave men and women while they fight for freedom,” County Executive Suozzi said.  “I would also like to commend Teddy Sempepos for diligently working to promote public awareness of the need of bullet-proof vests for our soldiers and Teddy’s dad, John Greene, and the many soldiers in Iraq who are courageously serving our country.”

The vests will be used by the soldiers to reinforce their vehicles.

“Our military is the best equipped in the world and our soldiers the most courageous.  But the American GI has always found ways to improvise and overcome to make life a little safer.  These vests are sent from the folks back home with love and pride,” said Edward Aulman, Director of the Nassau County Veterans Services Agency.