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service

New Castle Community Day Returns Saturday, September 18! Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Chappaqua

September 10, 2021 by Inside Press

Mark your calendars: The annual New Castle Community Day, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Chappaqua in cooperation with the Town of New Castle, will be held Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the downtown Chappaqua Train Station Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New Rotary of Chappaqua President Marlene Canapi described the event is a community gathering with entertainment, food and refreshments, rides for kids, music, informational booths for community organizations, vendors, service providers, volunteer corps, religious groups, and many more.

“We look forward to welcoming and celebrating our community in person!”

In addition, the Rotary announced that Northwell Health & Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps will be administering:

  • the Moderna and J&J COVID-19 vaccines to anyone 18 and up
  • the Pfizer vaccine to anyone 12 and up
  • Booster vaccine to anyone who is eligible

About the Rotary Club

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

What we do

Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 35,000+ clubs work together to:

  • Promote peace
  • Fight disease
  • Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
  • Save mothers and children
  • Support education
  • Grow local economies

 Mission

We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Vision statement

Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Guiding Principles

These principles have been developed over the years to provide Rotarians with a strong, common purpose and direction. They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world.

Object of Rotary

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

  • FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
  • SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
  • THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
  • FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

The Four-Way Test

The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings:
Of the things we think, say or do

  1. Is it the TRUTH?
  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Avenues of Service

We channel our commitment to service at home and abroad through five Avenues of Service, which are the foundation of club activity.

  • Club Service focuses on making clubs strong. A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan.
  • Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society.
  • Community Service encourages every Rotarian to find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest.
  • International Service exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace and understanding. We support this service avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad, and more.
  • Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs.

News Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Chappaqua

Filed Under: Happenings, New Castle News Tagged With: Chappaqua, community day, Entertainment, Family Fun, New Castle Community Day, Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Chappaqua, Rotary Mission, service

Northern Westchester Hospital to Honor Joel Seligman and Seema Boesky At 2019 Gala

August 21, 2019 by The Inside Press

Joel Seligman – photo credit: Todd Shapera

Mt. Kisco, New York— Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) will honor outgoing President and CEO Joel Seligman and philanthropist Seema Boesky at the hospital’s annual gala on Saturday, November 2, 2019 in a spectacular tent on the Hospital’s campus. The event is co-chaired by Brenda and Victor Khabie, MD.

The announcement was made by Keeva Young-Wright, President of the NWH Foundation and Vice President of External Affairs at NWH.

“We are delighted to honor Joel Seligman, who is retiring from his position as President and CEO of Northern Westchester Hospital after nearly two decades of extraordinary service and leadership, and Seema Boesky for her many years of generosity and support of Northern Westchester Hospital,” she said. “Joel has worked tirelessly to ensure Northern Westchester Hospital is a leading provider of innovative, evidenced-based patient-centered care. Seema has supported Joel’s vision and NWH’s mission, and through her philanthropic generosity, she has helped NWH bring advanced surgical and emergency care to our region.”

Mr. Seligman passes the torch after guiding Northern Westchester Hospital through some of its most transformative years. Since joining the hospital in 2001, he has been a powerful and effective advocate for clinical excellence, improved quality, strong financial stewardship, patient engagement and expanded community outreach.

Mr. Seligman announced his retirement plans earlier this year and will remain through the end of the year to work closely with Derek Anderson, the hospital’s new executive director, through the transition.

Under Mr. Seligman’s leadership, NWH has become a top destination for robotic surgery, orthopedics, cancer and breast care, as well as surgical weight loss, physical therapy and rehabilitation. In 2007, NWH became one of the first Planetree-designated hospitals in the US for exceptional patient-centered care. After the hospital was re-designated with distinction by Planetree and received Magnet designation — the gold standard for nursing care — from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Northern Westchester became the only hospital in the country to achieve both accolades. Planetree honored Mr. Seligman with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

When NWH became a member of Northwell Health in 2014, Mr. Seligman managed the hospital’s successful integration process for its clinical and support programs. He has also played an active role in health policy, serving as a state delegate of the American Hospital Association’s regional policy board, chair of the Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association and treasurer of the Healthcare Association of New York State’s (HANYS) Board of Governors. He is currently a member of the HANYS Executive Committee.

Mr. Seligman is a resident of Pound Ridge.

Seema Boesky – photo credit: Jim D’Angelo

Seema Boesky, community member, philanthropist and long-time supporter of NWH and several local organizations, is co-honoree along with Mr. Seligman. By the age of 13, Seema and her sister were co-owners of the Beverly Hills Hotel, the crown jewel of her father’s vast real estate holdings. By her early 20s, she was on the hotel’s board, and eventually took control of all her family’s properties. In 1987, she sold the Beverly Hills Hotel for a record-breaking price, and in the 1990s, she liquidated the family’s Northview Corporation and remaining businesses in order to pursue her philanthropic interests.

Since then, she has dedicated herself to philanthropy, immersing herself in understanding the needs of others and the role she can play in addressing unmet needs. She was a founding member of the Eagle School, the school for international Studies at Princeton, the Family Center in Somerville, MA, and a founder of the American Russian Youth Orchestra. In addition, she honored her mother’s memory by establishing the Gertrude Silberstein Pain Clinic at Ford Hospital in Detroit. She also serves as president of the Silberstein Boesky Family Foundation focusing on enhancing the lives of underprivileged children. Her Charitable Trust supports a variety of interests, including saving lives, curing depression, and preserving art.

In addition to providing financial support for charitable institutions, Ms. Boesky gives her time. Locally, she served as a board member and honoree at the Caramoor Music Center; the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester, where she completed two capital campaigns totaling $16 million; the Westchester Land Trust; Northern Westchester Hospital; and the Waterkeeper Alliance. She also served on the Board of the Women’s Forum, an international organization that mentors women worldwide.

In 1988, she received a Peabody Award as the producer of Claude Lanzmann’s iconic Holocaust documentary Shoah. She was interviewed by Barbara Walters in 1991, and in 2005 published Seema Says, Selected Columns from the Westchester Wag, the monthly column she authored for eight years.

Ms. Boesky was born and raised in Detroit, and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University. In 1978, she relocated her family from New York City to Westchester where she still resides and continues her philanthropic endeavors, develops high-end residential real estate and spends time with family and friends.

The NWH Gala begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., a program and dinner at 8 p.m., and dancing at 9:30 p.m. The theme is Art as Inspiration and Art as Transformation. It is expected to draw record attendance of over 800 guests. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit www.nwhconnect.org/2019Gala.

About Northern Westchester Hospital

Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of Northwell Health, provides quality, patient-centered care that is close to home through a unique combination of medical expertise, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to humanity. Over 650 highly-skilled physicians, state-of-the-art technology and professional staff of caregivers are all in place to ensure that you and your family receive treatment in a caring, respectful and nurturing environment. NWH has established extensive internal quality measurements that surpass the standards defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA) National Hospital Quality Measures. Our high-quality standards help to ensure that the treatment you receive at NWH is among the best in the nation. For more information, please visit www.nwhc.net and connect with us on Facebook.

About Northwell Health
Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, about 750 outpatient facilities and more than 13,600 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 70,000 employees – 16,000-plus nurses and 4,000 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners – are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We’re training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

News courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital, Northwell Health.

Filed Under: Not for Profit News Tagged With: Derek Anderson, gala, Gala Honorees, Generosity, hospital, Joel Seligman, Member, Northern Westchester Hospital, Northwell, Philanthropic, Seema Boesky, service

In The Aftermath of the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting

December 2, 2018 by Stacey Pfeffer

My Perspective on Elisha Wiesel’s Speech at the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center Annual Benefit and a Community-wide Interfaith Candelight Vigil at Temple Beth El

HHREC Keynote Speaker Elisha Wiesel
PHOTO COURTESY OF HHREC

On Thursday evening October 25th, Elisha Wiesel, the only child of the deceased Nobel Prize winning author, humanitarian and Holocaust educator Elie Wiesel was the keynote speaker at the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center’s (HHREC’s) annual benefit. It was a packed house of more than 250 attendees including 16 Holocaust survivors and one liberator. Honorees for the evening included Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D., the President of Iona College and Mitchell Wm. Ostrove, the CEO of The Ostrove Group, a comprehensive planning organization for businesses, families and high net worth individuals. Additionally Valerie O’Keeffe received a special award recognizing her years of volunteer work as a former chairperson at the HHREC.

Elisha Wiesel currently serves as the Chief Information Officer at Goldman Sachs and occasionally speaks about human rights issues and his upbringing. Wiesel described his father as a “relentless optimist” despite all he experienced as a Holocaust survivor. He questioned the audience and asked what his father would think of this country today and lamented the state of extremism on both the left and alt-right and how these perspectives contribute to anti-Semitism.

Less than 48 hours later on Saturday morning October 27th, 11 Jews at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, PA, were murdered by an anti-Semitic gunman and several others were injured including first responders during the massacre. It was one of the deadliest attacks on American Jewry in recent decades. To think that this event took place during services when joyous life cycle events such as Bar Mitzvahs and baby namings were taking place in the synagogue should make everyone of us shudder, no matter what faith one practices.

When this magazine’s publisher Grace Bennett asked if I would cover the HHREC event this year, I unequivocally said yes. Bennett is deeply involved with the organization. As many of our readers know, her father is a Holocaust survivor and she is passionate about Holocaust education.

I have been fortunate enough to cover the HHREC and attend their Human Rights Institute event in which local high students are encouraged to become “upstanders” when they see hate or bigotry. From time to time, Grace and I have discussed whether or not our magazine is too saturated with Holocaust news. As a third-generation survivor of the Holocaust (my maternal grandparents were survivors), I am admittedly biased when it comes to Holocaust news as well. I always believe we should cover topics about the Holocaust so that future generations can learn the lessons that history has taught us.

Little did I know when I covered October’s HHREC event that the tragedy in Pittsburgh would unfold in less than two days. I know that anti-Semitism is on the rise (the Anti-Defamation League reported the largest single-year increase–a 57 percent increase) in anti-Semitic incidents last year) and that xenophobia is plaguing this nation but I didn’t realize that these feelings of hate could actually propel someone to commit such a heinous crime on American soil in the year 2018.

Perhaps I was in denial. One of the organizations that the murderer vilified in his hateful rhetoric on www.gab.com was the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), an organization that assists refugees of all faiths and backgrounds. My grandparents and mother came to America in 1950 with the help of HIAS who was resettling Holocaust survivors from the deportation (DP) camps in Germany. To be honest, I had never really given much thought about how crucial this organization was and still is for so many refugees seeking a new life in America.

Interfaith candlelight vigil at Temple Beth El
PHOTO COURTESY OF TEMPLE BETH EL

Wiesel also participated in a Q&A session following his speech at the HHREC event and one audience member asked him what he thought his father would say if he had the opportunity to meet the President today. Wiesel first asked “Do you think my father could have gotten a word in?” resulting in several laughs from the audience. He then continued to tell a story about his father who was hit by a taxi in New York City during the 1950s while on a journalist visa and was forced to wear a full body cast for several months. When he nervously went to the Customs Office to renew his expired visa, the officer said to him “You know you can become a citizen.” Wiesel paused and asked the audience, “Imagine that.” Growing up he said his father would always get misty eyed whenever they landed at JFK and were welcomed by US Customs.

Wiesel described his father as “patriotic and someone who loved this country deeply.” When Elisha was a liberal arts student in college he recalls there was a large debate underway about burning the American flag. His father told him, “If you knew what the flag meant to me when we saw it when we were liberated by the US army, you would never burn it.” Wiesel said he believes that his father would want to talk to President Trump about “how we treat people coming to our shores because it is something he felt so personally as a beneficiary. My father could never forgive FDR for closing the doors to Jews in the 1930s and he would very much take up this issue with our President if he met him today.”

Within five days of hearing Wiesel speak, I found myself in the crowded pews at Temple Beth El in Chappaqua with my ten-year-old son for an interfaith candlelight vigil for the victims of the Tree of Life shooting. In attendance were: Reverend Martha Jacobs, First Congregational Church of Chappaqua; Reverend Tenku Ruff, Soto Zen Buddhist Association; Friar Hugh Burns, Holy Innocents Catholic Church; Reverend Merle McJunkin, Antioch Baptist Church; Reverend Alan Dennis, Saint Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church; Kristina Szibinga, Chappaqua Friends Society; Dilkash Ashraf, Upper Westchester Muslim Society; and Robert Greenstein, Town Supervisor of New Castle. The service led by Temple Beth El’s Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe included communal singing led by Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb and a speech from Rabbi Maura Linzer, who has strong ties to the Squirrel Hill tightknit Jewish community having grown up in Pittsburgh not that far from a Tree of Life synagogue.

Admittedly I was a bit wary of attending the service with my ten-year-old son but I am not one to shy away from tough topics with my kids especially as they relate to anti-Semitism and/or the Holocaust. My five-year old daughter knows who Hitler is and that he hated Jews. I don’t go into vivid details yet but I use it as a discussion point with my kids to talk about bigotry. I see the world through a Jewish lens as a third-generation survivor so I see it as my obligation to start telling my children about their family’s legacy in basic terms they can understand.

Wiesel concluded his HHREC speech with a question he posed to the audience. “My father lived with despair and managed to see the light. What of us who live in the light like few generations ever have in this country in this time of plenty? Can we squint in the light and can we see the darkness among us? Can we see the saddest among us and once we see that darkness, can we look past it and see the good in everyone’s soul to champion them in their time of need?”

I’d like to say that we are living in the light, as Wiesel suggests. My grandmother’s favorite saying was “this too shall pass” whenever I encountered a difficult circumstance. Now I’m not so sure.

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories Tagged With: community, Elie Wiesel, Elisha Wisel, gun violence, HHREC Annual Benefit, Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center, Holocaust education, Interfaith Service, service, Tree of Life Synagogue

Homegrown Heroes

October 21, 2015 by The Inside Press

The definitions of a hero according to Merriam-Webster are: “A person admired for his/her achievements” and “One who shows great courage.” Inside New Castle, we indeed have heroes among us. Some were born and raised in town, many are on active duty, several are veterans. These men and women are family, friends, neighbors. More importantly, they are people of great courage, sacrificing their comfort and safety for the safety and security of our country, and protecting the freedom that we have come to learn is not free. While by no means an all-inclusive list, the following profiles of six young men and one woman are a great point of departure. We take great pride in sharing their stories in these pages…

By Eileen Gallagher

Thomas Galvin
Thomas Galvin

Thomas Galvin, HGHS 2011

Galvin recently graduated from the Air Force Academy, and is on his way to pilot school.

His inspiration? “I don’t think I can attribute it to any one thing. I guess I’ve just never stopped thinking airplanes were cool. Seeing the Blue Angels at Jones Beach when I was young I thought, ‘that looks awesome, I want to do that.’ But as far as being in the Air Force, that’s probably just luck. I applied never thinking I’d get in, but I somehow did. Now I’m on my way to starting pilot training.” Galvin’s paternal grandfather served in the Army, and, but for vision issues, his father would have become a pilot with the Marines.

Family’s reaction? Galvin’s mother, Kathy, a Chappaqua resident, remembers learning about her son’s decision. “It seemed that the process was looking favorable. He asked me how I felt about it, and at that exact moment I remember thinking it was my worst nightmare and at that same moment thinking it was my greatest dream for him! The Academy teaches, ‘Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do’. I could not think of a better set of values to be taught!” Galvin’s father, also named Tom, said, “We are so proud and happy for him as it’s a dream come true. Ever since he was seven he wanted to fly for the Air Force. He has always been community-minded having logged in record hours at Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance, being an officer at Civil Air Patrol, and serving the Church of St. John and St. Mary as an altar server and on Midnight Runs.”

Community support? “My parents are the biggest reason I’ve made it to pilot training, but I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today without the help of a lot of people in the community. Between tutors, personal trainers and community leaders, they’re people I still keep in touch with and visit whenever I can, despite the Air Force taking me far from Chappaqua. My friends and family are an essential part of my support network, they definitely keep me sane, and are always there for me.”

Path going forward? “After I complete Initial Flight Training, I’ll begin a year-long Undergraduate Pilot Training. The first phase is one month of academics. In Phase 2, I’ll begin flying a small training aircraft. About halfway through is Phase 3; I will track into the training aircraft for fighter and bomber pilots, the trainer for cargo pilots or the trainer for helicopters. After I complete training in one of those aircrafts, I’ll learn which airplane I’ll fly for the next ten years. At some point over the next two years, I’ll also need to complete Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Training as well as a water survival class.”

Advice for others interested? “The Air Force Academy looks for well-rounded, service-oriented people. My extracurriculars and volunteer service made me competitive, and getting involved with Civil Air Patrol also gave me an advantage. ROTC is a great opportunity to get a commission. My advice is, even if you’re only the slightest bit interested, give it a shot.” Galvin’s dad added, “Entering the Air Force is hard enough, but staying in is even harder. In Thomas’ year, 55,000 students expressed an interest in attending, 12,000 were invited to apply, 1200 were accepted, and only 800 graduated. It’s that tough.”

Ariel Coreth
Ariel Coreth

Ariel Coreth, HGHS 2009

Coreth is a Naval DIVO (Division Officer) who manages a group of over 50 sailors. Deployed for six months over a year ago, she was flown to Hong Kong to meet her ship, sailed south, and “parked” in the Red Sea in support of Operation Inherent Resolve; a mission to be on standby for evacuating the Yemeni Embassy, if needed.

Her inspiration? Her brother Ian. As a high school freshman, she accompanied her father to visit him at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. “Observing formation, observing people hard at work studying, people walking around in crisp white uniforms, and how excited and happy my brother was, it basically got me thinking, okay, what is this place about?” Coreth explained. She further shared that she did her research and felt she came to understand what to expect,”It’s regimented…there are rules. It’s more of a disciplined path for me to take. I met people who were so happy and felt so accomplished. There was just that innate drive in them, that dogged determination that sometimes you don’t find nowadays.”

Women in the military? “Things are changing. The Navy is approaching the 25% mark, and we do have the first four star Admiral. There were recently two (female) West Point graduates: a Second Lieutenant and a Captain who graduated ranger school.” Coreth pointed out other successful women in the service spotlight, specifically noting both Condoleeza Rice and Sonya Sotomayor and saying, “I’ve seen successful men and women. I’ve also seen men screw up and women screw up. (Ultimately) it’s all the same…it’s about giving back, but also about the highest echelon, the highest caliber of service. I love my country, and this is the way I want to serve my country.”

Ben Berkey, second from left, during Formal Parade outside of Bancroft Hall, United States Naval Academy
Ben Berkey, second from left, during Formal Parade outside of Bancroft Hall, United States Naval Academy

Advice for any interested students? “Chappaqua schools did a wonderful job in molding a very independent mind. Follow the beat of your own drum. Trust your gut and be open
and receptive to new things.”

Max Hamlin
Max Hamlin

Max Hamlin, HGHS 2007

Inspiration? “Both of my grandfathers served in World War II, but one was only a kid,” began Hamlin, describing how Bernie Goodkin, his maternal grandfather was 17 years old when he enlisted. He served on the S.S. Leopoldville, a Belgian passenger liner that was converted to a transport for soldiers. On December 24th, 1944, Goodkin was in his quarters below deck when, by happenstance, one of his fellow infantrymen gave his head a mischievous smack. A chase ensued, with both men ending up on the upper deck, neither knowing that a torpedo launched from a German submarine was about to strike.

“My grandfather was pulled out of the water,” continued Hamlin. Had Goodkin still been in the lower level, he would have perished with the more than 760 soldiers who died in what has come to be known as The Leopold Disaster. “Years later, he still got letters from other family members of those on that ship asking if he knew of anyone else surviving.”

Was Goodkin the inspiration for Hamlin to join the Army? Perhaps in part. “I always looked up to my grandfather–I wanted to emulate him.” Was 9/11 a factor? “I was a 7th grader during 9/11, and scared we would be in a war.” Hamlin pointed out the irony that, at 22 years of age, he was getting on a plane to serve in that very war he had feared. “I would have served regardless,” Hamlin said. “Growing up here, I felt like I had a debt, something to give back.” He served on the Pleasantville Ambulance Corps during high school, and was in ROTC while in college. “I loved being part of a team, doing something exciting,” Hamlin said. A self-proclaimed “adrenalin junkie”, he wanted adventure, and found it in the Army. Commissioned in 2011, he spent the following year in Fort Campbell, Kentucky with the 101st Airborne Division (think TV series Band of Brothers). He was deployed to Afghanistan in the Nangarhar Province in one of the last big deployments from November 2012 to August 2013.

Just as meaningful to Hamlin is his deep appreciation for everything he has here in our country. He spoke of the civilians in Afghanistan working to feed their families while having to navigate roadside explosives, and observed, “You don’t understand how much you’ve been given until you see people who don’t have it. You learn to appreciate food and sleep, how nice it is to drive to school in safety. Basic necessities become treasured moments.” Even something as basic as a letter in the mail becomes ‘one of those things’.

Would he make the same choice again? Hamlin recalled that the last thing he did before he left for the Army was watch the Jets lose with his dad. And though his mother did not want him to join in the beginning, she was very proud as she came to see her son off. He conceded that the Army is not for everyone, “It’s a very big commitment. It’s hard to leave your family, your familiar town, hard to adjust to moving to an area where you don’t want to live. But it’s worth it as you get to meet people from all 50 states, and see some of the world. You learn how to make a new family. By the time you leave a base, you have made 20 new friends.” After a beat, he was unequivocal, “I would do it again.”

The single most important thing to come out of his experience was the opportunity to serve as an officer and lead soldiers. “Being honored with the responsibility of leading our nation’s sons and daughters is by far my greatest achievement. At 23 years old, I was leading 25 soldiers, and at 24, I was second in command of 180 troops. That’s not something I ever thought would happen as a small town kid from Chappaqua!” Hamlin concluded, “My service and my time in Afghanistan are just steps in my life’s journey, but the privilege of leadership in such a storied organization is what I am most proud of.”

David Levine
David Levine

David Levine, HGHS 2003

Army Medic Levine lives with his wife and two children in Virginia. He received his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification at 18, and, after two years of study at Suffolk University in Boston, he joined the Army.

Inspiration to serve? Levine recalled, “I was born in Bogota, Colombia, and was raised primarily in the streets in various foster homes and orphanages. I was adopted in 1991 at the age of 6, along with my brother Leonard, and was very fortunate to be saved from the life I had. I have always had a sense of obligation to repay my parents for the life that they allowed me to have–the Army was always something I felt I needed to do.”

Levine explained how he learned of his late brother Lawrence’s service with the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps (CVAC). “When I was 7 years old, I found his bright yellow jacket in one of our closets. It belonged to my brother Lawrence who had died before we were adopted. (Lawrence was adopted at birth from Colombia.)  At 17, he passed away in an accident on a school trip in Europe. He was an avid volunteer at the Ambulance Corps, and I later learned there is a tree dedicated in his honor outside the CVAC station.” After his parents explained Lawrence’s role as an EMT, Levine was immediately interested. “At the time, I really just thought the lights, sirens and jackets were cool, but once I started, it solidified what I wanted to do in my life.”

He continued, “Military recruiters never came to Chappaqua, so I sought them out and told them there was no way I would sign up unless I was a Medic. My main goal was to help soldiers in a time of war. I wanted the trauma, I wanted the action; and I appreciated the feeling of being needed at one’s most vulnerable moments, knowing I was the one who could help. I was never very patriotic. In fact, growing up, I took more pride in being Colombian only because I didn’t want to lose that part of me. But once I joined, it was instantaneous. I was a part of something much bigger than myself or my desires.”

Helicopter Medevac training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Helicopter Medevac training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Family’s reaction? Despite his dad having served from 1958-1960, Levine felt his decision was “very new to all of them.” That being said, his “family slowly came around to accepting” his decision and became his biggest supporters. “I was finally able to make them proud, and achieve things I never thought I could,” he said.

Advice? Levine encourages high school students to “make sure it is something you really want to do. You have to love what you do, because it is not easy. The physical and mental demands that the Army requires is unlike anything most will experience. Even the most competitive athlete, or the best student, will have some sort of significant lifestyle change.”

Future Plans? “I’m still a Medic, but work in a clinic, which is a long way from the front lines. After 32 months in the Middle East, between Afghanistan twice, and a short tour at Kuwait /Iraq border, this is a nice change of pace. I intend to stay in the service until I retire, well past my 20 years. I hope to become an officer in the Army, but stay in the medical field either as a Nurse, or a Physician’s Assistant.”

Levine summed up his thoughts on serving in the military; “All of the benefits are at your disposal as long as you keep in mind what you really signed up for. You took an oath to defend the people of the United States from all enemies foreign and domestic. That seems like just words, but understand that you are a Soldier, Marine, Airmen or Seaman 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Regardless of what you are wearing, you represent the United States. Once you are called to fight, you have a very valuable position. It’s not always about God and country, and, in most cases, that may be the last thing on your mind. But it is taking care of yourself, and also of those around you so your mission is completed and you all come home.”

Ben Berkey
Ben Berkey

Ben Berkey, HGHS 2010

Berkey excelled in school, both in the classroom and on the playing fields. He was one of two recipients of the Torrey D. Dodson award for Male Scholar Athlete of the year, active on the student council and a co-captain of the football team. A willingness and ability to lead played a part in his decision to serve, and Berkey went directly from Greeley to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering and is currently in the submarine training pipeline.

Inspiration? The 9/11 attack tremendously impacted Berkey. His uncle, Douglas Irgang, worked in the South Tower, and was killed at the age of 32. Football coach Bill Tribou was also an inspirational figure; having served in the Marine Corps, Tribou recognized Berkey’s qualities and his potential, and put forward the idea of serving. Tribou said of Berkey, “Ben is a product of an outstanding upbringing. His parents created an environment for their children that was loving, caring and, at the same time, task oriented. Ben is a very special young man, a very rare individual. His first and foremost quality is his compassion and care for everybody else! I have never known him to be irresponsible, or put his own needs before others. His passion and attention to detail is incalculable!”

In 2010, just before graduating, Berkey gave a speech at the Memorial Day dedication of the Route 120 bridge to Staff Sergeant Kyu Hyuk Chay, who lost his life in service to our country. Though Berkey did not personally know Chay, the parade marshall at the time, Lt. Col. Bob Coulombe, knew Berkey and thought he was the right choice for the moving memorial ceremony. An excerpt from the end of his speech: “My desire to attend the United States Naval Academy began when I watched the Twin Towers fall, carrying my uncle to his grave and threatening all Americans’ safety. I have to believe that my uncle’s death, along with the other 3,000 innocent victims who perished that day, serves to remind me how very fragile freedom is. The events of 9/11 magnified my patriotism and inspired me to protect this country.”

David Levine (L) spares a moment for some “operative” fun in Afghanastan
David Levine (L) spares a moment for some “operative” fun in Afghanastan

Future plans? In his third year at the Academy, Berkey became a submarine officer, drawn to the people and “the most advanced technology in the military.” His contract is for five years of service; sometime in August of 2016 he will learn the location of his submarine assignment. In the meantime, Berkey is engaged to be married to his HGHS sweetheart, Christine Haggerty, whose parents, like his own, are residents of Chappaqua.

Ted Kenyon
Ted Kenyon

Ted Kenyon, HGHS 2007

Ted Kenyon’s last official day in the Army fast approaches. Deployed for one year to Jordan, he also served two three-week overseas assignments in the United Arab Emirates and South Korea, respectively. He recently finished his time as Platoon Leader for 41 months, well above the average one year assignment.

Inspiration? Although both of his grandfathers served in the Navy, Kenyon drew enlistment inspiration elsewhere. Like several of his peers, he pointed to 9/11 as one factor leading to his decision. “At the end of the day, I didn’t have a good excuse not to,” said Kenyon. He believes “everyone has a duty to serve their community in some capacity, and if you are physically and mentally capable to serve, you should.”

Family reaction? Kenyon’s family’s initial reaction was one of disbelief. His parents, Mark and Ann, attributed his interest in joining Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at Wake Forest University to the “tough talk of a teenager.”

Ann recalled advising him, “Let’s not make a commitment right now. Go to Wake, join a fraternity, see how things play out.” Deep down, she knew her son was greatly affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center; she worked across the street from the Trade Center, but was away on business in the days leading up to that tragic day. Original plans called for a red-eye back to New York the night of September 10th.

She never took that flight, but her children didn’t know that and feared the worst. Kenyon would later tell her, “If I don’t defend our country, who else will?” With their son’s graduation in 2011, Ann and Mark’s feelings evolved into great pride combined with genuine concern. “I wouldn’t wish this on any mother’s child, but I need to be respectful–respectful for the sacrifice,” shared Ann, who also mentioned that Skyping and texting provide some measure of comfort.

For his mother’s birthday this year, Kenyon presented Ann with his framed separation orders, for which she was very grateful.

Plans going forward? While deployed, Kenyon would get up at 1 a.m. Jordanian time to take online courses out of the University of Maryland. Beginning January 2016, he will attend graduate school at Georgetown University for Security Policy Studies as part of their International Relations program, and plans to stay in government service.

Considering a similar path? “We’ve been given a leg up more than most people,” Kenyon said of growing up in Chappaqua. But he pointed out that serving in the military is one of the “great equalizers” where you are rewarded and promoted based on merit alone, regardless of your socioeconomic background. “You earn your own way.”

He further advised about life’s critical skills: “Do your homework–reach out and ask questions. Read voraciously about the conflicts that are going on throughout the world. Make a difference–be a leader.” Kenyon’s final advice comes in the form of a quote by Teddy Roosevelt, one that helped inform his decision to join, “If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness.”

There are many more stories not yet told. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to share a service experience for inclusion in the online version of Inside Chappaqua.

And if you are moved to express your gratitude and appreciation for all that our military men and women do for us, please consider joining an organization such as Soldiersangels.org.

Eileen Gallagher is a Chappaqua resident, wife, mother of two sons, daughter of a Navy veteran, and a great supporter of our military. A member of Soldiers’ Angels for over three years, she currently volunteers with veterans at the Montrose VA and sends over 100 letters a year to troops serving overseas. 

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Chappaqua, community, heroes, Inside Press, protection, service, support, theinsidepress.com

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