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Community Corner

Heroes Among Us: The American Legion Series

World War II veteran Gus Scutari.

Here at Patch, we're all about community pride. We continue our series on Syosset's spirit, highlighting members of the American Legion. Home to 162 members–many of which were (are) captains of industry in and around town–these men and women served in active duty during wartime. American Legion Post 175 is named after Eugene S. Smith.

Gus Scutari will tell you, "It's because my birthday's in April. Anyone born in April is the best." It's his live-wire, 1,000-watt personality that makes Scutari a beloved man and respected member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

But it's Syosset's Memorial Day Parade that seems to be Scutari's calling. He is as much a fixture at the parade (organizing Syosset-Woodbury veterans of all ages, along with spectators and dignitaries while serving as emcee with ease and much humor) as his wife Fran with her patriotic red, white and blue top hat. Scutari, now 89, has been heading the Memorial Day parade as its coordinator since 1991 and has built it up into a well-attended happening in town.

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Still radiating the energy of 10 people, Gus, born Costantino Scutari in the Lower East Side of New York, always jumped right in and took charge. At 21, he enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to the destroyer USS Haynsworth. As an artillery control specialist, Scutari saw extensive combat in the Pacific from 1942-46. At just 24, during the 1945 battle of Okinawa, Scutari's ship was hit by a Japanese kamikaze plane, killing 12 men and injuring 45.

After his release from the Navy, he married Fran Zorbo, a Woodbury resident, and the couple settled in Syosset.

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Scutari has worn many hats at both the Syosset Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as the American Legion, serving as first vice commander and membership chairman.

"[I want] young folks to never take the sacrifices of our soldiers for granted," Scutari says. To that end, he has been instrumental in running many programs for the younger generation of Syossetites like "Patriot's Pen" in the middle schools. He gives speeches on what it means to be American to local Boy Scout troops, even presiding over Syosset Eagle Scout ceremonies.

But mostly, he's quite a character who unites the people of Syosset.

Created by Congress in 1919, the American Legion is the nation's largest patriotic veterans organization, devoted to mutual helpfulness, mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs, and devotion to our fellow service members and veterans. The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization using grassroots campaigns to influence legislation in Washington.

The American Legion has 2.6 million members throughout 14,000 worldwide posts (55 various departments including one for each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Philippines). The Legion isn't about politicking but is issue-driven to improve the quality of the lives and rights of veterans. They rely on membership and greatly need the community's help and support. 

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