Canine Companions Honors Local Heroes on November 9th

Join Canine Companions as we present the eleventh annual Colonel E. David Woycik Jr., Esq., USA (Ret.) and Lance Corporal Matias Ferreira, USMC (Ret.) Outstanding Service Awards to local veterans who go above and beyond to help our heroes who have sacrificed so much in order for us to continue to enjoy our rights and freedoms.

94-year-old Massapequa resident Peter Finocchio was 16 years old when, with his parents’ permission, he enlisted in the United States Merchant Marines. He served two years as a Seaman during WWII, sailing cargo ships that carried gasoline, oil, ammunition, guns, food, and medicine to England, France, and Belgium. Peter’s second introduction into his military life began when North Korea invaded South Korea in June 1950. He was drafted at the age of 22, and was sent overseas to Pusan, South Korea, operating the supply division on the front lines.
Corporal Kenneth Frey joined the United States Marine Corps after Desert Storm in 1992 and served overseas from 1993-1998 in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. Ken began his career with the Marines as a Military Police Officer and was meritoriously promoted to E-4 SPC and was then promoted to the Military Intelligence Corps. He was awarded the Silver Star in 1994 for heroic actions in combat. In 2021 Ken graduated from Canine Companions with his highly-trained service dog, Zeus. Ken is a member of AMVETS Post 48 in Ronkonkoma, NY and works for the United Veterans Beacon House, counseling homeless veterans, helping them to become more independent and return to society.

Wednesday, November 9, 2022 - 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
The Inn at New Hyde Park, 214 Jericho Turnpike

New Hyde Park, NY
For more information visit: canine.org/saluteindependence

Contact: John Bentzinger jbentzinger@canine.org
About Canine Companions:

Canine Companions is leading the service dog industry so our clients and their dogs can live with greater independence. Canine Companions provides service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings. Established in 1975, Canine Companions has six regions across the country serving all 50 states. The Northeast Region training center is located in Medford, NY and serves thirteen states from Maine to Virginia. Learn more at canine.org.