I had the privilege of attending a marvelous tribute dinner in honor of my good friend, the legendary Ron Tocci

I had the privilege of attending a marvelous tribute dinner Thursday evening in honor of my good friend, the legendary Ron Tocci. Though Ron is a lifelong Democrat and I’m a lifelong Republican, Ron and I have worked together in different capacities for over 20 years. I first got to know Ron from his days as a State Assemblyman and later as we served in the Pataki and Astorino administrations, first when he was the State Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and then Director of the county’s Veteran Service Agency. Ron proudly served our nation as a veteran of the 82nd Airborne. The work Ron has done over more than five decades serving our veterans and their families has provided immeasurable good and for this he deserves our heartfelt gratitude. Most of the benefits New York veterans currently enjoy are because of Ron and his legacy also includes tirelessly advocating for and spearheading the building of the New York State Veterans Home at Montrose. No one is more deserving of this Lifetime of service award! As President Abraham Lincoln said, “Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure”. Congratulations to Ron on this well-deserved award.