In its mission to take history out of the textbooks by honoring local veterans, the Hampton Bays School District paid tribute to Salvatore Traversa during a ceremony on March 22.
As part of the ceremony, held at Hampton Bays Elementary School, middle school students Jeremih Byrd, Maya Ollennu and Daniela Roman read Traversa’s biography, Lily Schultheis read her winning Patriot Pen essay, and the members of the Hampton Bays Middle School Drama Club performed “Be Our Guest” from their recent performance of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” The ceremony culminated with a flag raising in Traversa’s honor.
Traversa is a proud United States Marine Corps veteran who served from 1973-1976. During his tenure in the Marines, he was a a field radio operator while assigned to both India and Mike Batteries, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. The Marine Corps also kept him busy with field assignments in Venezuela (with a stopover in Cuba), Puerto Rico, jungle training in Panama, and orders for a cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. He served on an aircraft carrier and practiced amphibious landings on both a landing ship tank and landing ship dock.
Following his honorable discharge, Traversa returned home to work for the United States Postal Service and retired after 31 years in 2008. Since his retirement, he has made tremendous contributions to the Hampton Bays community. He volunteers as a lector and eucharistic minister at St. Rosalie’s Church, works in the parish food pantry, is a member of the Committee for the Common Good, is a third-degree knight in the Knights of Columbus and has donated blood over 100 times. In addition, he works at R.J. O’Shea Funeral Home, where his care and compassion are a great support to grieving families. As a member of the American Legion Post 924, he serves as the post chaplain and a member of the color guard, performing in many town and school functions. In his off time, he is an avid fisherman and clammer.
To read Traversa’s full bio, visit https://www.hbschools.us/district/flag_ceremony
Date Added: 4/2/2024