In honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11 earlier this week, the West Islip History Center, along with the American Legion Post and Town of Islip 1738, recognized two veterans at a ceremony on Nov. 10.

The West Islip veterans of World War II were celebrated with a special exhibit and ceremony in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The event was held from noon to 2 p.m.

Veterans Gabe Grenci and Anthony Scuderi were recognized for their bravery and dedication to our country. The two fought in WWII during different time periods, and to this day continue to be active in their communities.

Lynn Luttenberger, of the West Islip Historical Society, recognized the veterans.

“Today, we are honoring the men and women of West Islip who served in WWII in honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day,” Luttenberger said. “Even though this event specifically honors those who served in WWII, we wish to thank all veterans: thank you, thank you for your service.”

The first veteran honored was Anthony Scuderi. Scuderi was born on March 16, 1924 and he served in WWII from 1943 to 1945. He was trained at Camp Stewart in Georgia as a fighter pilot and held the rank of corporal.

Scuderi was part of the U.S. Army and Air Force; during WWII, both the Army and Air Force were under one branch. After his time in the military, Scuderi became an FBI agent in 1950, just five years after serving our country. Upon retiring from the FBI in 1975, he started New York’s first Medicaid fraud office in Hauppauge.

Scuderi ran the office for 25 years, before returning to the FBI and working on background checks and retiring at 83 years old. His family has lived in West Islip since 1953.

The second veteran honored was Gabe Grenci. Grenci was born on Feb. 2, 1927, and grew up on Long Island as a child. Upon his graduation from Babylon High School in 1945, Grenci was drafted into the U.S. Army during WWII and stationed in Italy.

After one year of service, Grenci achieved the rank of staff sergeant in the Army Personnel Division. In the years that followed, he served in the Army National Guard and then the U.S. Navy Reserve for a brief time period before receiving his third honorable discharge.

In 1948, Grenci’s 42-year-long career at Northrop Grumman began. He worked on the development of the F-14 Tomcat, which was a carrier fighter that had a significant role in air combat during the Vietnam War and the decades that followed.

Grenci continues to be active in the West Islip community.

Scuderi and Grenci were awarded proclamations on behalf of the Town of Islip. Councilman Mike McElwee spoke on behalf of himself, the town, and supervisor Angie Carpenter. Luttenberger awarded proclamations on behalf of Suffolk County Legis. Steve Flotteron.