At a meeting of the Nassau County Legislature on June 18, 2018, Legislator Laura M. Schaefer and the members of the Nassau County Legislature honored three outstanding U.S. military veterans for their service. Ms. Sylinthia Burges, Mr. Frank Colon, Jr., and Mr. Ralph Esposito, who were also recently inducted into the NYS Senate Veteran’s Hall of fame, were recognized.
Ms. Sylinthia Burges enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984 and served in South Korea working in a military law office. She has worked at the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency since 2015 and was the first female ever hired there to help former military personnel manage issues relating to health, housing, finances, and more. She is also the founder of an organization called “Women in the Military” which is dedicated to connecting female veterans with needed resources.
Mr. Colon enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1972 and served in Germany, Italy, and as the Commander in Chief of all Allied Forces in South Korea before coming back to the U.S. assigned to the United States Instructor Group and the Army Recruiting Command. Mr. Colon is the recipient of many service awards and retired as a Sergeant First Class in 1994.
Mr. Esposito enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1961 and served on the Ticonderoga CVA 14 aircraft carrier. Here in Nassau, he has served as a first responder for 43 years as a member of the Elmont Fire Department and is very dedicated to veterans’ causes as a member of the American Legion and VFW. Mr. Esposito is currently the Director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency.
“I would like to express our thanks and gratitude for all that you have given of yourselves to secure this nation’s freedom. Each of these veterans has spent periods of time away from your families to serve us and put your lives on the line for our safety. In addition, after your formal military service, each of you has gone on to work to personally protect and improve the lives of veterans here in Nassau County. We are deeply grateful for your sacrifices and selflessness,” stated Presiding Officer Nicolello.
Shown in photograph above, from left to right: Presiding Officer Richard J. Nicolello, Sylinthia Burges, Ralph Esposito, Legislator Rose Marie Walker and Legislator Schaefer.
(missing from photograph is honoree Frank Colon, Jr.)