January 4, 2010

Mangano Appoints New Director Of Nassau's Veterans Service Agency

Mineola, NY – Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano today announced the appointment of Mathew J. Rufrano of Bethpage as the Director of Veterans Service Agency for Nassau County. A veteran of both the United States Air Force and the New York Air National Guard, Mr. Rufrano is the founding secretary of the Vietnam Veterans of America’s Nassau County Chapter #82 and is also a founding member of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Veteran Advisory Council, where he advised the Supervisor on local veterans’ issues.

“The county’s Veterans Service Agency is a key resource for all of our veterans and will be a vital part of my administration. Mathew Rufrano brings many years of experience in veterans services and I welcome him to our team,” said County Executive Mangano. “It is so important that we reach out to our veterans so they have access to necessary services, including health care, benefits, job placement, and any other needed assistance. As the son of a Korean War veteran, the issues facing our veterans are for me, personal and deeply felt. I am confident that Mathew Rufrano will serve the veterans of Nassau County well.”

For more than 25 years, Mathew Rufrano has been involved in veterans services, including Chapter 82’s “Vets Helping Vets” Committee and sponsors the chapter’s volunteer visits to Walter Reed Army Hospital. He also spearheaded a fundraiser to benefit the family of a veteran who died from Agent Orange-related diseases, and volunteered as a guide for the Vietnam Memorial’s “Traveling Wall” during its stop in New York. As a founding member of the Bethpage Community Foundation, where he currently serves as Secretary, Rufrano has been involved in local events such as Bethpage’s annual “Bretton Bowl” to raise money to local residents and families in need. Rufrano has also volunteered as Chapter 82’s Assistant Chaplain, where he performed services for deceased members.

“We are creating new veterans every day and we have an obligation to help them in any way we can. And, of course, we must address the needs of our Veterans from past wars,” said Mr. Rufrano. “I am looking forward to working with County Executive Mangano and Nassau County’s Veteran community.”

A recipient of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 82’s Distinguished Service Award and the President’s Award, Mathew Rufrano was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force in 1970.

The Nassau County Veterans Service Agency serves as the coordinating agency for all veterans in Nassau County. The agency assists veterans and their families in matters such as educational training, health, medical and rehabilitation service, the veteran’s real property tax exemption, and discharge upgrades. Additionally, the Agency coordinates a volunteer program to transport veterans to the VA Hospital in Northport, NY.