The Hampton Bays School District continues to honor veterans by conducting a flag ceremony every month in recognition of the service of local heroes. The most recent flag ceremony was held on Oct. 26 at the elementary school in honor of Anthony Galgano, a World War II army veteran. The flag will fly in recognition of his service for one month.

Mr. Galgano, who came to Hampton Bays in 2006 to live with his son Anthony Jr., was a member of General George Patton’s famed Third Army. A platoon sergeant who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Mr. Galgano was awarded three Bronze Stars for valor and heroism under fire. He was also awarded a battlefield commission to second lieutenant, which came to pass formally decades after his service.

“Another member of the ‘greatest generation’ continues to play an important role in Hampton Bays,” said District Superintendent Lars Clemensen. “Lt. Galgano was a hero not just once, but over and over again, putting himself in harm’s way.”

Mr. Galgano, whose wife Cira died several years ago, lost his right hand and part of his right arm during his service. However, his “grit and determination” have continued to be a source of inspiration to many of his fellow soldiers both during and after his service, from which he was discharged in 1945.

During his flag ceremony at Hampton Bays, members of the fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade classes were in attendance to honor and recognize the brave veteran. Fifth-graders Julia Strobel and Christopher Barros recited the Pledge of Allegiance, sixth-grader Ella Marcus sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” seventh-graders Collette Levine and Grayson Cherubino read Mr. Galgano’s biography, and eighth-graders McCaila Grismer and Nicholas Kolb read their VFW Patriot Pen essays.

Also in attendance were friends and family of Mr. Galgano, members of the American Legion Hand-Aldrich Post 924, former veteran honorees, New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. and Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman. Although they were not present, New York State Senator Ken LaValle co-authored a special proclamation with Assemblyman Thiele and New York State Congressman Tim Bishop sent along a special congressional certificate.