On Wednesday, October 30, the Mariners Patriot Club at Southampton High School held its 15th annual Appreciation Dinner for our local veterans. The Patriots Club was formed 15 years ago by Christian Westerhoff, a Navy ROTC midshipman and graduate of Southampton High School, and is dedicated to honoring our veterans and soldiers.
The club continues to influence the lives of our local veterans and our community: The Patriots Club dedicated Railroad Plaza to John Holden, U.S. Army World War II veteran; flag placement at Sacred Hearts and Southampton cemeteries for Memorial Day and Veterans Day; the annual Turkeys for Vets Drive; the annual military ceremony for students entering the service and service academies on the East End; the Cell Out Veterans Campaign; and the Honor Flight correspondence campaign.
We are humbled by the outpouring of generosity of restaurants, community and volunteers who made this year’s dinner a success. Thank you to the following establishments: Alpina Swiss Bakery, American Pie, Catena’s Market, Clamman Seafood Market, Cowfish, DeJesus Deli & Grocery, Dragon Garden, Edgewater Restaurant, Elks Lodge 1574, Fellingham’s Restaurant Sports Bar, Fresco Pizza & Deli, Goldberg’s Famous Bagels, Golden Pear Cafe, The Green Thumb, Hampton Coffee Company, Hampton Food Supermarket, Hampton Kitchen Delicatessen, Kelly’s Cafe & Deli, Krieg’s Bakery, La Parmigiana, Local Burger, Our Lady of Poland R. C. Church, Out of the Blue Seafood, Peconic Prime Meats, Schmidt’s Country Market, Sean’s Place, Shippy’s, Sip ’N Soda, Slice of the Hamptons, Southampton Publick House, South Fork Delicatessen, Ted’s East End Market, The Chicken Spot, and Villa Paul.
We would also like to the thank all the dedicated parent volunteers and members of the community who donated food and their time to the dinner: Scout Troop 58, Cub Scout Pack 14, Mariners Patriot Club members, Rotary Interact Club, Shinnecock Drummers: Old Sound, Michelle Thomas (NAMMY-winning recording artist and CEO & founder of Navajo Artist), SES Community Service Group, Southampton Elementary School Student Council, Southampton High School administration, faculty and staff, Southampton High School band and chorus, Southampton Town Explorers, Southampton Town Police Department and PBA, Southampton Village PBA, and New York State Troopers.
We are grateful for Congressman Nick LaLota’s office, State Senator Anthony Palumbo’s office, Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara of Southampton Town and Deputy Mayor Leonard Zinnanti of the Village of Southampton for honoring our veterans.
The night would not have been possible without each and every one of us coming together to honor all those who have served. The collaboration of local restaurants, volunteers and community members truly highlights the spirit of giving.
Thea Fry
Advisor
Southampton High School Mariner’s Patriot Club
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