Last weekend, Anthony Camilleri, of New Hyde Park, along with 10 other very special men were justly honored, thanks to the initiative of New York State Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli, as they received the long-awaited Conspicuous Service Cross, New York's highest honor, for their military deeds in World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. The men honored include: Lawrence Gottehrer, Manhasset; Ralph Gottlieb, Great Neck; Lawrence Kaplan, Manhasset; Louis Panica, Roslyn Heights; Joseph Schreiber, Great Neck, Thaddeus Siok and Joseph Swiader, of New Hyde Park, Murray Wolf, Great Neck and Grace Epstein who accepted the award for her deceased husband, Abraham, of Searingtown.

Camilleri, no stranger to service and helping others, is probably best-known, in New Hyde Park, for the dedication and service he has given to the Merillon Little League for many, many years.

However, perhaps the highest honor of any parent is best expressed by the following:

I have always looked up to my father, Anthony Camilleri. It is something that many little girls do. After all, my dad has won numerous awards as an accomplished New York City Police Sergeant and as a United States Naval Chief.

And, he has put year-after-year of service into our New Hyde Park community through his dedication to the Merillon Athletic Association. However, his newest award sets him apart from those honors.

At a prestigious and intimate ceremony on Feb. 22, my father was one of 10 recipients of New York State's highest military honors, The Conspicuous Service Cross, for his service during the Vietnam War.

New York State Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli spoke to the friends and family who gathered at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, to share in honoring the distinguished veterans from World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Assemblyman DiNapoli thanked and praised my dad and the others for their gallant efforts.

I beamed with pride as my dad shook hands with Rear Admiral Tom Matteson, superintendent of the Merchant Marine Academy, Larry Dos Santos, deputy director of the New York State Division of Veteran Affairs and Assemblyman DiNapoli. Dad posed with a proud, yet humble smile in front of the United States flag.

My mom, Ann, had the honor of pinning the much-deserved medal on my father's suit. A red, white and blue ribbon attached to a silver cross. A concrete symbol of the dedication that my father and countless others have had for this country.

Although we've always been a patriotic family, I feel somehow Veterans Day took on a whole new meaning for us and all who witnessed the ceremony.

Thank you, Assemblyman DiNapoli, for organizing this moving and memorable occasion.