On Tuesday evening, June 9, representatives from Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 were invited to Erasmo in Middle Village, where they were presented with two checks totaling $3,000 to help replace equipment stolen from the organization’s bus last month.
The donations included a $1,500 contribution from the Federazione Italo-Americana of Brooklyn and Queens and a $1,500 contribution from Associazione Culturale Italiana Di New York. In addition, the United Veterans Fraternal Organization of Maspeth contributed $2,000, fully covering the cost of the approximately $5,000 worth of equipment stolen from the Chapter 32 bus.
Last month, Council Member Phil Wong publicly condemned the theft after the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 bus was broken into while parked near Union Turnpike. Shortly after learning of the crime, the two Italian-American organizations, under the leadership of Cav. Tony Di Piazza, Stefano Turriciano, Tony Mule, and their respective boards, reached out to Wong’s office and immediately offered to help cover the losses suffered by the veterans organization.
“I thank Cav. Di Piazza, Mr. Turriciano, Mr. Mule, and the members of these two organizations for their incredible generosity,” said Wong. “Whenever our community faces a challenge, they are always among the first to step forward and help. They embody the true meaning of charity, generosity, and community spirit. Their willingness to support our veterans without hesitation speaks volumes about their character and their commitment to our community. I also thank the United Veterans Fraternal Organization of Maspeth for their geneority, and the work they do for our veterans”
“When Council Member Wong informed us about what happened to Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32, our response was simple: what do they need, and how can we help? said Cav. Tony DiPiazza of the Associazione Culturale Italiana Di New York. “These veterans have spent their lives serving our country and our communities. Helping them recover from this theft was the right thing to do, and I am proud that our organizations were able to step up alongside Maspeth Federal Savings to make them whole again.”
“Our organizations have always believed that when one part of the community is hurting, the rest of us have a responsibility to help,” said Stefano Turriciano of the Federazione Italo-Americana of Brooklyn and Queens. “The veterans of Chapter 32 do tremendous work for other veterans and for the people of Queens. We were honored to support them and show that our community stands behind those who have served our nation.”
“I thank the Federation and Association for helping our organization,” said Lennie Williams, President of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32. “I also thank the United Veterans Fraternal Organization of Maspeth, and especially Council Member Wong for always being an ally to the Vietnam veterans and veterans in general. Their generosity is greatly appreciated, and we will continue our work helping fellow veterans, serving our communities, and supporting this nation.”
Council Member Wong’s office remains in contact with Captain Daniel Fennessy, Commanding Officer of the 112th Precinct, as the investigation into the theft continues.
In addition, Wong’s office is actively assisting Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 in locating a permanent and secure location to park its bus. In the meantime, Maspeth Federal Savings has generously allowed the organization to utilize space in its parking lot so the vehicle can be stored safely and securely.
On Tuesday evening, June 9, representatives from Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 were invited to Erasmo in Middle Village, where they were presented with two checks totaling $3,000 to help replace equipment stolen from the organization’s bus last month.