In the most emotional moments of a Mineola Village Board meeting filled with emotion, a disabled Iraqi U.S. Army veteran named Christopher Levi was honored by several organizations in the village.
Outgoing Mayor Jack Martins presented Levi with a key to the village and praised him as an example for how members of the Mineola Junior Fire Department and Boy Scout Troop 245 present at the meeting “should live their lives.”
Commander Sal Cataldo and Sergeant at Arms Bill Urianek of Mineola American Legion Post 349 presented Levi with a check for $2,000. Christopher Strauss of the Mineola Junior Fire Department also presented a check to Levi. An 11-year-old Elmont boy named J.P. Iacona presented Urianek with a check for $174 on behalf of the Ladies Guild of Elmont American Legion Post 1033 that he raised by collecting scrap metal. And a member of the scout troop commended Levi for his bravery and his service to his country
Levi’s plight became a rallying point for members of American Legion Post 349 nearly three years ago when former U.S. Marine Bill Urianek read about the then 25-year-old Ranger losing both of his legs when shrapnel from a roadside bomb struck him while he was riding in the passenger seat of a Humvee in Iraq in March 2008. His life was probably saved because he was talking on a hand-held radio when the blast occurred, sending shrapnel into his hand that otherwise would have struck him in the head.
Urianek, 80, who was raising money at the time to refurbish an Apache helicopter, immediately turned his fund-aising efforts to Levi, who was in rehab at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. learning how to use his prosthetic legs.
“That could have been my grandson,” said Urianek, who has two grandsons close in age to Levi.
The American Legion Post’s cause became Mineola’s cause, and ultimately more than $11,000 was raised in contributions to the young Holbrooke, N.Y. veteran to assist with retrofitting his parents’ home.
“Some of the people I’ve met along the way, I can never thank them enough for what they’ve done,” a visibly emotional Urianek said.
Levi, who was introduced to a standing ovation, said, he was “very grateful” for the support he had received from the community that had adopted him.
Standing steady to receive the accolades and the check, he said, “To receive this is very humbling and very endearing.”
The normally voluble Cataldo, who presented Levi with a commendation from the Post, told Levi, “I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s nothing to be said,” Levi replied.
“For the first time in my life, I’m speechless,” Cataldo said, drawing applause and laughter from those in the crowded meeting hall.
Vietnam veteran Manny Grillo, commander of Adolph Block VFW Post 1305 in Mineola, pinned an American flag on the lapel of Levi’s jacket and the two men exchanged military salutes. Martins made his presentation, and the village’s tribute to the young veteran was complete.
Afterwards, Urianek recounted his first meeting with Levi and his mother, Deborah, last year when Levi was welcomed home to Holbrook. Urianek presented a check to him for $3,763 at the time.
Urianek recalled receiving anonymous cash donations in his mailbox – $500 in single dollar bills on one occasion – in the course of the fund-raising effort.
“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to the people of Mineola,” Urianek said.
