The Town of Oyster Bay's first annual Veterans Volunteer Awards will take place on Tuesday, July 31 at John J. Burns Park Town in Massapequa, as part of the "Salute to America" concert, according to Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto. The program, which is slated to begin at 7:45 p.m., will include a patriotic performance by the country music band Sawyer Brown and conclude with spectacular fireworks by Grucci.

Within the program will be an announcement of the winners of the Town of Oyster Bay's 2007 Veterans Volunteer Awards. The recipients will include Life Time Achievement Award Recipient Conrad "Connie" Steers of Hicksville, Non-Veteran Volunteer of the Year Cherie A. Steers of Hicksville and Veteran Volunteer of the Year Reginald Butt, Jr. of Oyster Bay.

"Connie Steers, a longtime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #82, has dedicated more than 25 years of service to veterans by providing help to countless veterans in need," Venditto said. "Cherie Steers has spent decades volunteering to help veterans and serving as an advocate for their issues of concern. Reginald Butt, Jr., a past commander of the American Legion's Quentin Roosevelt Post #4, has involved himself in numerous veterans' activities and events and organized many parades and services on behalf of America's fighting men and women."

"There is no greater recognition than to be acknowledged by one's peers, and these members of the veteran community truly deserve the recognition," Venditto said. "Their legacy of involvement on issues and concerns affecting veterans is to be truly commended."

"The 'Salute to America,' which is free to residents of the town, will also include special patriotic entertainment to pay tribute to our men and women who are currently enlisted in the military, many of whom are fighting every day to help protect our country's freedom," stated Venditto. "In addition, the event will honor veterans for their service to our country. Sawyer Brown will round out the evening by performing their classic and patriotic hits."

According to the supervisor, our nation's veterans deserve the continuing support of the entire community for the extraordinary sacrifices they've made to keep America the "Land of the Free." "I believe the Town of Oyster Bay's 2007 Veterans Volunteer Awards is one of the small ways we can remind our veterans that their efforts are not forgotten," Venditto said. "I hope to see a large crowd in attendance at the award ceremony and the concert on July 31."