On Thursday, June 26th, Legislator Kennedy hosted the fourth annual Suffolk County Heroes Breakfast, held at Oheka Castle in Huntington. The breakfast was initially created as a way to honor the numerous healthcare heroes who worked tirelessly, and oftentimes thanklessly, throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. Since then, the event has expanded to honor all first responders, including firefighters, police officers, and EMTs. The breakfast offered stunning views of the North Shore, in which the Long Island Sound was on full display from the many windows in the ballroom.
The ceremony started with Raymond Meyer, from the nonprofit organization Paws of War, leading the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. Next was an invocation led by Reverend Bill Minson, known for his work in supporting and organizing for better mental health treatment for 9/11 first responders. Following the invocation, Liam of the Suffolk County Pipe Band performed a medley.
Jim Jacobs from the Tunnels to Towers Foundation was the next guest speaker, who spoke on how important recognition events can be to first responders who oftentimes go thankless. This is a message that resonates with the founding story of Tunnels to Towers. For those who are unaware, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation was created in memory of Firefighter Stephen Siller. On September 11th, 2001, Stephen had just finished his shift when the World Trade Center was attacked. Determined to help those in need, Stephen had driven his truck to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to get to Manhattan, only to find the tunnel blocked off. That did not stop Stephen. Stephen would strap 60 pounds of gear to his back and raced on foot through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life saving others. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is now dedicated to providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responders’ families with young children and providing specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
Two Jacob’s Light Humanitarian Awards were presented at the ceremony. The award, which was created by Diane Kenney, is given to those who have overcome tremendous hardships while never giving up hope. Diane is the mother of Specialist Jacob Fletcher, who was known for asking his mother to send extra care packages and letters of support to his fellow soldiers while they were deployed overseas. When her son was killed overseas, she continued to send care packages and letters overseas, knowing that it’s what Jacob would have wanted. This would evolve into the Jacob’s Light Foundation. Although Specialist Jacob Fletcher never made it home, his legacy will always shine through others who want to make a difference and want to be a beacon of hope.
The first award recipient was Suffolk County Police Officer Brendon Gallagher, an officer with a relentless passion for defending his community. Officer Gallagher joined the Suffolk County Police Department in January of 2022. On December 28th, 2022, while responding to a call about a violent and threatening individual, he was stabbed and hospitalized. He made a full recovery and was awarded a Silver Shield from the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association. That injury did not stop his passion for protecting the people of Suffolk County, and in October of 2023, he was transferred to the Highway Patrol Bureau. Officer Gallagher was unfortunately injured again on January 5th of this year, where he sustained near-fatal injuries while trying to apprehend an illegal street racer. Officer Gallagher spent three weeks in Stony Brook Hospital in the immediate aftermath of the incident and is still recovering at home.
As Officer Gallagher is still recovering, Suffolk County Police Department Sergeant James Spoerel accepted the award on his behalf. We thank Officer Gallagher for all he has done to keep Suffolk County safe, and we wish him good health going forward with his recovery.
The second award recipient was Stephanie Diller. Stephanie is the widow of New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty in March of 2024. “Jonathan was the kind of man who made life better just by being in it. He had gentle strength, a steady moral compass, and a heart full of kindness. He was brave, Humble, and endlessly giving-the kind of person who didn’t need recognition to do what was right,” said Stephanie Diller when describing her husband. To honor the life, love, and legacy of her husband, Stephanie created the Officer Jonathan Diller Memorial Scholarship, which is aimed at supporting students who exhibit kindness, service, faith, integrity, courage, and character.
“It’s important to recognize the unsung heroes that walk side by side with us but never get that acknowledgement. I’m thankful for all those who made this ceremony possible and gave thanks to those whose actions were extraordinary” said Legislator Leslie Kennedy on why the ceremony is important to her, and she looks forward to keeping this tradition alive for the coming years.
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