HAUPPAUGE – Suffolk Executive Steve Levy presided over the County’s Medal of Distinguished Military Service ceremony last night, presenting medals to the parents and families of Suffolk soldiers who died in service to their country and honoring veterans and volunteers for community contributions. In an especially touching moment, Levy presented the son of a deceased Greenport World War II veteran with his father’s long-lost dog tags and U.S. Army medallion.

“We are proud to have secured the long-lost belongings of county resident and deceased World War II veteran, Private William Foster, and to deliver them at this ceremony to his lone surviving son, Robert, more than 64 years after their disappearance,” said Suffolk Executive Steve Levy. “Our soldiers fight for us without pause, and so they should know that our efforts to recognize their selfless contribution are a ceaseless cause.”

In December a representative of the U.S. Embassy in France had been contact by a local French farmer who unearthed the medals while tilling farmland outside the town of Metz, France.  Metz was a very active town during both World War I and II.

Though the exact details surrounding the disappearance of Private Foster’s dog tags and U.S. army medallion are unknown, Veterans Service Agency officials speculate that Private Foster may have found himself in danger of being captured by the enemy and removed anything that might identify him as an American if apprehended by the enemy. So, he buried the pouch containing his GI issued dog tags and U.S. Army medallion.  They lay dormant in a farmer’s field for 64 years.

After discovery, a brief investigation revealed Mr. Foster to have been 20 years of age upon entry into the Army in 1945, honorably discharged in 1946, married in 1947 and to have passed away in 1948.

Subsequent investigation revealed that his home of record had been Greenport, Suffolk County where his wife, Fran Foster, though gravely-ill, continued to reside, and the homeowner of record to be Robert Foster, William’s only child.

Suffolk’s Veterans Service Agency took immediate action to return these precious military affects to the Foster family. However, being gravely ill, Mrs. Foster passed away within hours of the safe arrival of her husband’s belongings on American soil.

In furtherance of Suffolk’s efforts to honor its fallen military service members, additional presentations were made, including the Suffolk County Medal of Distinguished Military Service.  This year saw two recipients who each gave their life in defense of this great nation while serving in Afghanistan.

The Bishop family was presented with the Suffolk County Medal of Distinguished Military Service to honor Staff Sergeant Bishop’s service to country.

Staff Sergeant Keith R. Bishop was a Medford native and son of Suffolk County who was killed when the MH-47 helicopter he was riding in crashed, as he and other soldiers and federal agents were executing an operation to disrupt arms smuggling and drug trafficking in western Afghanistan

The Keller family was also presented with the Suffolk County Medal of Distinguished Military Service to honor the ultimate sacrifice made by Sergeant Jonathan Keller who died as a result of combat wounds suffered in service to his country.

Sergeant Jonathan Mark Keller, a Wading-River Native and son of Suffolk County, suffered multiple gun-shot wounds while leading a raid against the Taliban of Afghanistan on the Pakistan border. Sergeant Keller ultimately succumbed to complications from his wound on January 24, 2009.

Prior to the closing ceremony, an additional, surprise medal presentation was made by representatives of Suffolk’s Gold Star families to 1st Sergeant Amber Kash of the 6th Communications Battalion in Amityville. First Sergeant Kash has served as the Suffolk County Casualty officer since 2007; she has the solemn duty to inform Suffolk residents of soldier killed in action.

Other veterans and volunteers were honored for their contributions to the Suffolk County Veteran’s community.  They included:

• Charles Armstrong, American Legion Post (#1244)
• Frank Banas, Ride Captain, Patriot Guard Riders
• William “Bill” Beatty, Vice-President, Long Island Chapter of Korean War Veterans Association
• Corporal Bruce Brenner, Huntington Veterans of Foreign Wars (#1469)
• Corporal Steven D’Agistino, U.S.M.C.
• Frank D’Aversa, Board of Directors, Suffolk County Viet Nam Veterans of America
• Sergeant Lisa Fischer, U.S.M.C., 6th Communication Battalion, Amityville
• John J. Gaeta, NYS Commanders, AMVETS
• William M. Hughes
• Sergeant Aaron Jaggers, U.S.M.C., 6th Communication Battalion, Amityville
• Staff Sergeant Christopher Jose, U.S.M.C., 6th Communication Battalion, Amityville
• William “Bill” Kreamer, AMVETS
• Anthony and Debbie Raiona, Suffolk County Viet Nam Veterans of America
• Salvatore “Sal” Scarlato, 1st Vice-President, L.I. Korean War Veterans Association
• Ensign Philip J. Stefanelli, U.S. Navy
• Dennis Sullivan, Chairman, NYS VFW Committee on Education and Comm. Service
• Staff Sergeant Michael Walker, U.S.M.C., 6th Communication Battalion, Amityville