Politics & Government
Curran Honors Freeport Veteran with Special Recognition Ceremony
Alan Jay joined the Army in 1943 when he was 17.
Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook-21st AD) recently recognized and honored 15 local veterans at his annual Veterans’ Hall of Honor event at the St. Mary’s/Maris Stella Council #2228 Knights of Columbus in Lynbrook. This year’s honoree from Freeport is Alan Jay. Family members and friends of the honorees were invited to celebrate. Thanking the veterans for their service and patriotism to their country and community, Curran presented each honoree with an official New York State Assembly Proclamation.
“This is always a special event that gives our community the opportunity to celebrate and honor our brave men, like Alan, who sacrificed so much to ensure our freedoms and way of life,” said Curran. “With Veterans Day nearly upon us, it is important to take the time to recognize and thank our veterans every day. We owe everything we enjoy today to those who are called to serve their country and each of our veterans deserves our gratitude and respect. This recognition is but a small token of appreciation for everything they have achieved for this great nation and its citizens.”
Alan Jay enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at age 17 in 1943. Graduating basic training at Keesler Field, Mississippi in three months, Alan was sent to gunnery school at Buckingham Field, Florida, and after surviving a crash landing, he spent 30 days recovering at a hospital in Scott Field, Illinois. He was discharged with 90 percent disability. Alan terminated his military disability pension in 1955 after recovering and became partial owner of Stan-Jay Auto Parts, Corp, where he spent the majority of his career. Alan was married to his wife, Clare, for 56 years and together they raised three sons: Douglas, Rodger and Matthew. Civic participation continues to be a priority for Alan, and as a fiscal conservative he has a particularly keen interest in government spending and accountability, especially in his beloved hometown of Freeport. He has been an active member of the American Legion William Clinton Story Post No.342 for many years and has served as a parade marshal for the annual Memorial Day Observance and Parade.