The Manhasset Post 304 of the American Legion conducted its annual Community Service Awards ceremony on Wednesday, March 5. The program recognizes those individuals who have rendered commendable service to the Manhasset Community.

Nine individuals were honored for their exemplary service to the community. They include four police officers from the New York State Police and the Nassau County Police Departments, one Ambulance Medical Technician from the Nassau County Police Department, a firefighter and an Emergency Ambulance Technician from the Manhasset Lakeville Fire Department, and a firefighter from the Plandome Fire Department. A Manhasset resident was honored for her outstanding services to the Manhasset community as editor of the Manhasset Press with her sustained and unique leadership in her coverage of local events and people with an eye toward promoting community awareness and spirit. Each was awarded a Certificate of Commendation from the Manhasset Post 304.

The evening's ceremony was chaired by First Vice Commander James T. Brooks of the Manhasset Post. The certificates were presented to each honoree by Post Commander Anthony W. Buzzitta.

New York State Police Department (NYSPD) Trooper Philip D. Oalden was honored as "Police Officer of the Year" for his outstanding dedication and commitment to law enforcement as the canine handler and drug recognition expert for the State Police in Nassau County. Trooper Harris responds at all hours of the day to highway patrol requests to determine the types of drugs that drivers are using while operating a vehicle. With a canine sniffing dog, hidden drugs are often located in concealed compartments. Trooper Oalden, in 2007, in performing his regular patrol duties, led the Lake Success Barracks in penal code arrests (49) and DWI arrests with 22. He averaged issuing eight tickets a day, half of which were issued for speeding. Trooper Oalden was commended for his overall outstanding efforts in law enforcement during the year 2007. The citation was read by Sergeant Alan Kurlander of Troop "L," New York State Police.

Police Officers Daniel Reilly and Frank Schlecht of the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), 6th Precinct, were each honored as "Police Officer of the Year." They were cited for their initiative and quick thinking combined with their intimate knowledge of Manhasset leading to the apprehension of a suspect for robbery and petty larceny. A crime occurred at the Manhasset Optical Store where an item was taken. The clerk was alone and behind the counter. She attempted to step from behind the counter to confront the suspect, but was met with physical force including shoving her. The suspect's actions transformed a simple petty larceny into a felonious robbery. Officers Reilly and Schlecht, using their knowledge of the community, canvassed the area and were successful in locating and arresting the subject. At the time of apprehension, 10 hypodermic needles and a white powder believed to be a controlled substance were found on the subject. Additional charges were filed. Lieutenant Daniel Collins of the Nassau County Police Department, 6th Precinct, read the citation.

Detective Heriberto "Eddie" Mercado of the Nassau County Police Department Sixth Squad was honored as "Detective of the Year" for his professionalism, dedication to duty and perseverance in his assigned cases serving this community. Detective Mercado was appointed to the Nassau County Police Department on March 31, 1995. He initially was assigned to the 8th Precinct where he routinely enforced the laws of New York State. He was promoted to the rank of Detective and assigned to the Third Squad and one year later re-assigned to the Sixth Squad. His years of police experience enabled him to transform his abilities as a patrol officer into a dedicated detective dealing with all levels of crime. On Sept. 23, 2007, Detective Mercado was assigned to investigate a robbery that had just occurred in Roslyn. An 85-year-old woman walking to church was attacked by a male subject, pushing her to the ground and taking her pocketbook. In the struggle, her arm was injured.

A thorough search was initiated of the surrounding area to no avail. The detective, always persistent, continued the search and located an individual which fit the provided description although he had a change of clothing. The individual was subsequently identified and arrested. Most of the victim's property was recovered. The citation was read by Detective Lieutenant Albert V. Anderson, Commanding Officer, Sixth Squad, Nassau County Police Department.

Over a dozen years ago, Manhasset Post 304 introduced the "Unit Citation" multiyear plaque, acknowledging the 6th Precinct's outstanding service and to provide a visible historical record reflecting credit on those so honored as well as recognition of the precinct's commitment and dedication to the Manhasset community. Several years ago, a similar multiyear plaque was introduced to recognize the detectives who provide outstanding service and commitment to the Manhasset community. The names of Police Officers Daniel Reilly and Frank Schlecht have been added to the "Unit Citation" Plaque and Detective Heriberto Mercado's name has been added to the detectives' multiyear plaque. The detectives' multiyear plaque was received by Detective Lieutenant Albert V. Anderson, Commanding Officer, Sixth Squad and Lieutenant Daniel Colllins received the up-dated multi-year plaque for the Nassau County Police Department 6th Precinct.

Supervisor Tom Gaynor of the Emergency Ambulance Bureau, Nassau County Police Department read the citation for Ambulance Medical Technician (AMT) Scott Kitograd "Paramedic of the Year." On Oct. 14, 2007, AMT Kitograd received a call for an 80-year-old male experiencing chest pains in the Searingtown area. Upon arriving at the location, AMT Kitograd was told by the patient that his automatic internal defibrillator kept "going off"/firing. (An internal defibrillator is surgically implanted in patients who have various cardiac arrhythmias that can be fatal.) The defibrillator monitors the heart rhythm. AMT Kitograd observed the patient-very pale, cool and sweating profusely. After taking a quick set of the vital signs, and placing the patient on oxygen, AMT Kitrograd placed the patient on an EKG monitor which revealed that the patient was in a dangerous rhythm pattern. He immediately began intravenous and requested from the control doctor that he administer medication to suppress the rhythm. The dangerous rhythm was significantly suppressed and the patient safely transferred to the emergency room at St. Francis where the patient received further treatment. The quick assessment and swift actions taken by AMT Kitograd helped save this patient's life.

Lieutenant Kirk Candan of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department (MLFD) read the citation for "Firefighter of the Year," Richard Conversano. Richard Conversano (Dick) joined the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department in 1963 at the young age of 20. Throughout his 45 years of service to the department and the community, he has always responded to each and every alarm with the same enthusiasm and dedication of a new recruit. Additionally, he has always been exceptional in recruiting new members for the fire department. Every meeting, he asks if the "young guys" have any friends interested in joining. And he follows up. While he has always been a vital asset to Company #4, over the last several years he has also responded to the needs of the entire department, helping out and responding as one of the daytime chauffeurs at Co.s 2, 3, and 4. Richard Conversano takes a great deal of pride in the Fire Department, and especially for Company #4.

Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department Lieutenant Kirk Canadan also read the citation for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Nancy Mitchell, "Paramedic of the Year." Nancy Mitchell joined the department in 2000 and has held the position of Ambulance Unit Treasurer for most of her seven years of membership. She is one of the most active members of the Ambulance Unit and has won numerous high percentage awards. Nancy Mitchell is also responsible for the department's blood drive committee collecting hundreds of pints of blood which she has chaired since 2000. In 2006, she became an American Heart Association CPR Instructor and has taught both members of the Department and the community this vital skill.

Fireman William C. Miller of the Plandome Fire Department was recognized as "Firefighter of the Year" for having served the community as an active member of the Plandome Fire Department since Nov. 4, 1969. It was noted that his hours of service to the community as a firefighter through the years, incomparable; his firematic skill, exemplary. His dedication and commitment to the Plandome Fire Department is apparent having served with distinction as an Active Interior Firefighter, Senior First Lieutenant, Assistant Treasurer, Level 3 Instructor, Member and Chairman of the Governance Committee and Level 3 Motor Pump Operator, a position he presently holds.

Chief Rick Buhr read the citation and expressed his personal gratification for his outstanding service and performance to the department and community.

Pat Grace, Editor of the Manhasset Press, was presented with the American Legion Certificate of Commendation for her exemplary service to the Manhasset community. In her position as editor, she has demonstrated faithful, clear and responsible reporting of local issues, events and people with an eye toward promoting community awareness and spirit. This includes her extensive and timely reporting of athletic, civic, educational, social and volunteer activities occurring in our community, as well as coverage of programs addressing community service, youth activities, patriotism and Americanism, the latter of which furthers the principles of the American Legion.

At the end of the program, Commander Buzzitta congratulated those honored and thanked everyone for attending an evening of recognizing those who have contributed so much to the community.

The Community Service Awards Ceremony was videotaped by Michael Meehen, and Lior Shahverdi of the Public Access Television, Inc. (PATC). These arrangements were made by Ms. Shirley Bruno, executive director. Facilities and refreshments were arranged by the Post's House Committee Chairman Thomas J. Buzzitta.