Field Dedicated To Chris Raguso's Memory

Elwood boys soccer coach Lou Hanner speaks of Raguso’s legacy as a John Glenn player and war hero. Long Islander photo/Sophia Ricco

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

Hero, father, teammate, and friend, Master Sergeant Christopher Raguso’s legacy of service and dedication to his country will live on at the John Glenn high school soccer fields.

Raguso, who was killed in a helicopter crash on the Iraq-Syria border in March, was a former member of the school’s soccer team. He was honored with a memorial ceremony on September 22 with family, friends, and players of past and present in attendance. The ceremony began with a procession by the Northport Pipe and Drum band and was filled with heartfelt speeches from soccer coach, Lou Hanner, Athletic Director David Shanahan, former teammate, Peter Finelli, his brother, Mark Raguso, and his father, John Raguso.

“You got to pay your respects to people who fight for your freedom and Chris was exactly that, he was a hero,” Dave Maryles, a friend of Raguso’s said. “He was just a great person, great father, and great friend and dearly missed.”

Organized by the John Glenn boys soccer team and Finelli, and funded through a GoFundMe appeal, the memorial saw an outpouring of support from the community. With an initial goal of $6,000, the appeal raised over $8,500, with excess proceeds donated to the Raguso family.

A flag pole was placed next to the scoreboard that waves flags for Raguso, as well as a monument below that reads, “These things we do that others may live.” A motto the Master Sergeant lived by during his time on earth.

“Chris began defending the turf right here behind you, this is where he went to battle for his first days,” Hanner said. “We feel honored and privileged to have his legacy last and live on this field forever.”

Following Raguso’s death, the soccer team met with the family and proposed ideas of how they could honor Raguso at the school. Once they decided he would be honored at his former turf, more of the soccer community got involved, including alumni.

It’s important “for my son, Casey, and my nephew, Luke, to be here to see what Chris is all about and to just watch how someone who has dedicated a life to service affects everyone around him - the community and the country,” Finelli said.

Master Sergeant Christopher Raguso

The ceremony followed a John Glenn boys varsity soccer game and was attended by soccer teams at the school.

“I think it’s very important for the young kids today to realize that there are a lot of people that sacrifice for them to allow us to come out and kick a ball around every day and play a game,” Hanner said. “Life’s much bigger than a game but when you’re a young kid you don’t realize what goes on. Everything that Chris did for us and did for his family and America.”

“I, myself am painfully reminded, like we all are, that freedom can come at an unbelievable price,” Raguso’s brother, Mark, said. “He was a great American, great patriot, father, husband, son, cousin, friend, and competitor,” Mark said. “But most of all, he was someone you could happily look up to when all was said and done. Now when we all need to look for inspiration, we don’t need to look far, cause he’s here on this field with us and with the John Glenn Knights forever.”

Raguso also served 13 years with the New York City Fire Department and was a volunteer firefighter in Commack.

“Chris’ legacy is that of an ultimate teammate,” Hanner said during his speech. “The torch he carried in the name of sacrifice and service will burn eternally in the hearts and minds of those that knew him.”

Heckscher's Buffalo Trophy Fetches $800

A buffalo head trophy deaccessioned by the Heckscher Museum. was bought at auction by a local bidder for $800.

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

Recently deaccessioned as a way to raise funds and increase storage space, a buffalo head trophy owned by August Heckscher and previously on display at the Heckscher Museum, has been sold at auction.

The relic comes from the museum’s founding days in the 1920s when the trophy was displayed as a part of their museum’s collection. But since the town acquired the museum, the focus of the collection has shifted to fine art, highlighting American and European artists. The trophy was collecting dust in the museum’s storage facilities in Farmingdale, according to museum officials. The Huntington town board approved a plan to sell the artifact with the money raised to be dedicated to the museum’s budget.

The piece was sold by South Bay Auctions as a part of their Fine Art, Antiques and Sporting Auction on Sept. 22. The gavel price was $800, paid by a local family who learned about the sale through the news and were “very excited” to acquire it, a spokesperson for the auction house said. The piece went on the block with an estimate of $300-500 and the auction began with an opening bid of $550. A bidding war ensued with people on the floor, telephone phone bidders and online bidders competing.

Iceland Drive Renamed To Honor Officer

Mayra Natale unveils a street sign dedicating Iceland Drive to honoring the memory of her late husband, Mark.

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

A street dedication ceremony was held in Huntington to honor NYPD Officer Mark J. Natale who recently died from 9/11-related brain cancer.

The ceremony took place on Iceland Drive on Sept. 14, which would have been Natale’s 56th birthday. Natale will be remembered for his service during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, where he helped people fleeing across bridges to Brooklyn and onto ferries to New Jersey. The days after 9/11, Natale stood guard at the gates around Ground Zero.

“Friends and former colleagues contributed pieces of police uniform apparel so that retired Officer Natale would be buried in dress uniform; the South Huntington School District lowered flags to half-staff district-wide, issued a service award posthumously and inducted Mark, a district employee during his retirement from the NYPD, into their Hall of Fame,” Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci said. “Comments came pouring in on the Town’s social media channels upon hearing news of this street dedication, with beautiful praise for Mark as a wonderful person, a gentleman, and words of comfort for the Natale family.”

The ceremony began with the presentation of the colors by the NYPD Honor Guard. NYPD Police Officer Makiah Brown sang the National Anthem, and an invocation was delivered by NYPD Chaplain Deputy Chief Monsignor David Cassato. Natale’s family, friends and colleagues were in attendance along with elected officials, and a contingent from the 94th Precinct in Brooklyn where Natale worked.

“NYPD Officer Mark J. Natale represents the best of humanity on a day we witnessed the worst. He is a hero, sacrificing his life protecting strangers. For the family, no words can ease their pain but we want them to know through this small gesture that they have the unending support of all of us,” State Senator Carl Marcellino said.

Officer Natale lost his battle to cancer on May 4, 2018 at home in Huntington. His cancer was a result of exposure at Ground Zero following the terror attacks.

94th Precinct officers with NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin B. Tucker stand with the Natale family in front of the sign dedicating Iceland Drive in honor of NYPD Officer Mark Natale.

“As we mark the 17th anniversary of the horrific events of September 11, 2001, it is important to continue to recall not only those who perished on that day, but also to remember the uniformed and non-uniformed responders who answered the call to help. These individuals assisted in rescue and recovery efforts in the days, weeks and months that followed and, sadly as a result, many suffered from 9/11 cancers and other illnesses and lost their lives,” Legislator Tom Donnelly said.

More than 70,000 first responders and survivors are currently enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program, which was established by the CDC to monitor and provide health care to those exposed to toxic dust and smoke at Ground Zero. The program reports nearly 10,000 people have suffered cancers caused by inhalation of toxic dust and smoke at Ground Zero.

“9/11, as we are reminded more and more each day, is the tragedy that keeps on taking,” Councilwoman Joan Cergol said. “We share in the Natale family’s grief and hope they will take comfort and pride each time they pass this street sign that is our way of making sure Mark’s service, heroism and sacrifice is held high for all to know and never be forgotten.”

Natale’s widow, Mayra Natale was supported by her children Dominick, Catherine and Lauren and Natale’s sisters Denise Pileggi and Debra Diem. She thanked those who brought this dedication to fruition and those who were in attendance to show their respect.

“The words expressed by his wife Mayra, captured Mark’s service and heroism. His courageous battle serves as inspiration to those heroes who continue to struggle with 9/11 related illnesses every day” Legislator Spencer said. “The awareness that Mark has brought to this issue will help ensure that our heroes receive the best possible care in the future.”