Schools

Smithtown HS West Hosts Veterans’ Breakfast In Late Veteran's Memory

Thomas Mooney, a U.S. Army veteran who organized the VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Contest for local students, was honored at the breakfast.

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Local veterans and the late, Thomas Mooney, were honored at a breakfast hosted by Smithtown High School West’s Rho Kappa on April 12. (Courtesy of Smithtown Central School District)
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Local veterans and the late, Thomas Mooney, were honored at a breakfast hosted by Smithtown High School West’s Rho Kappa on April 12. (Courtesy of Smithtown Central School District)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23350902/20240412/015351/styles/patch_image/public/vettable___12135258322.jpg
Local veterans and the late, Thomas Mooney, were honored at a breakfast hosted by Smithtown High School West’s Rho Kappa on April 12. (Courtesy of Smithtown Central School District)
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Olivia Wolber speaks at the podium. Local veterans and the late, Thomas Mooney, were honored at a breakfast hosted by Smithtown High School West’s Rho Kappa on April 12. (Courtesy of Smithtown Central School District)

SMITHTOWN, NY — Local veterans were the guests of honor on Friday, as the Smithtown High School West Social Studies Honor Society, Rho Kappa, held a breakfast paying tribute to late veteran, Thomas Mooney.

Mooney was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served from 1991-1997 and is also a retired police officer. He died peacefully on Sept. 24 at the age of 80.

Mooney was a member of the local VFW post and an important member of the Smithtown community, according to the school district. He was the organizer of the VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Contest for local students grades 9-12.

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Smithtown High School West senior, Olivia Wolber, who had previously won the VFW Voice of
Democracy Essay Contest, organized the breakfast.

"We came up with the idea for the breakfast and Mr. Mooney was such an important individual in our community," Wolber said in a news release. "I'm so glad it turned out this well."

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State Sen. Mario Mattera awarded Wolber a certificate of appreciation and announced Mooney will be inducted into the NY State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.

Smithtown West Rho Kappa raised $2,500 for the local VFW in Mooney's honor.

Olivia Wolber, a senior at Smithtown High School West who organized a special breakfast in memory of late U.S. veteran Thomas Mooney, was awarded a proclamation by NY State Sen. Mario Mattera. (Credit: Smithtown Central School District)

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