Fallen Long Island Marine Has Street Renamed In His Honor

LOCUST VALLEY, NY— Fallen U.S. Marine Sgt. Robert A. Hendriks, who was killed in a car bombing with two other soldiers in Afghanistan in 2019, was feted Saturday, as friends and family members shared memories during a ceremony to rename a street corner in his childhood hometown of Locust Valley.

In the ceremony, the corner of Forest Avenue between Birch Hill Road and Birch Street was renamed, “Sgt. Robert A. Hendriks Way,” and those who knew him recalled stories from the 25-year-old’s life, capturing his ‘“never give up, never quit spirit” according to the office of Nassau County Legis. Joshua Lafazan, whose office orchestrated the street renaming.

His best friend from Locust Valley, Christopher Tasso, recalled a picture that Hendriks had hanging up with an inspirational quote from John Wayne about saddling up even when you are scared to death. The quote could not have been more fitting for Hendriks, who embodied that same attitude, Tasso said.

“He never put on that he was anything more than human, and he never believed himself anything special, this is despite the fact that his bravery, discipline, and loyalty was of the variety most people only come across in fictional characters — fictional characters like the ones that John Wayne played,” he said.

In a statement, Hendriks’ mother, Felicia Arculeo, called the street’s renaming an “incredible way” to honor her son, who she affectionately referred to as “Robby,” and to “assure his name will live on forever.”

“Although only Robby’s name appears on the sign, remember he died that day with two other Marines — Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Hines,” she said, adding, “Never forget these heroes and the loss to their families, and never forget our Robby; our hero, my son, Sgt. Robert Andrew Hendriks, aka ‘Henny.’”

Hendriks, was killed along with Staff Sgt. Hines and Staff Sgt. Slutman near the Bagram airfield on April 8, 2019, when a car that was filled with hundreds of pounds of explosives drove out from behind a berm and ambushed the convoy they were traveling in while returning from a mission outside of the base, officials said.

At about 8 p.m. that night, Arculeo heard what no military mother ever wants to hear — the sound of three loud knocks on her front door, and on the other side of it was three Marines, who were there to deliver the news that her son had died, Lafazan’s office said.

“The pain in my heart will always be the same, but the journey changes,” she said, adding, “Part of my journey now has become to honor my son and all those who have given their lives for others, for we are their voice now.”

“I believe that we should all share in memories of ‘Henny’ so that it can bring us a little peace, and not focus on the terrible day of April 8,” said Sgt. Valiant Bradley Cocchi, who served with him in Afghanistan.

Hendriks was remembered with a memorial rifle salute by American Legion Post 962 and a U.S. Marine Color Guard was provided by the Garden City-based 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines Reserve Infantry Battalion, in which Sgt. Hendriks served after enlisting in 2012.

The ceremony also included an invocation prayer by Rev. Dom Elias Carr from the Church of Saint Rocco in Glen Cove, as well as a performance of “Amazing Grace” by Michael Hogan on the bagpipes. An American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol was also presented to Hendriks family by U.S. Rep. Thomas Suozzi.

Altogether more than a dozen elected officials and community leaders gathered at the event, including a contingent of Blue Star mothers, commanders of veterans’ organizations, educators, and fire department leaders.

Arculeo said her family, as well as Hendrik’s friends who knew and loved him, are beyond grateful for Lafazan’s work in getting the street renamed.

Lafazan said Hendriks imparted many lessons through his example, and most notably, the importance of committing to the cause which one most believes in.

“I have a picture of Sgt. Hendriks on my desk from his time in the Marines. On it, his shirt reads ‘All it takes is all you got.’ Every time someone drives down this street, they'll be reminded of Sgt. Hendriks and those words,” Lafazan said, adding, “Sgt. Hendriks is a hero in every sense of the word. And he leaves behind a legacy which every member of this community, and this country, can strive to emulate.”

Hendriks was born on March 4, 1994, at Booth Memorial Hospital in Queens, and he lived in Glen Cove for two years until 1996, before his family moved to Locust Valley. Growing up he and his younger brother, Joseph, enjoyed a childhood filled with rough-and-tumble outdoor adventures, in which they played “Army” with cousins and friends, as well as the natural wonders of the Shu Swamp Preserve, referred to as “Spooky River,” which was within walking distance.

He and his brother began to study Tae Kwon Do under the tutelage of Master Ron Ealey, and they would march along with their dojo in every Memorial Day parade, breaking wood with their feet and hands along the route, Lafazan’s office said. The pair also performed demonstrations at the Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club and were “a threat” to win top honors in every tournament they entered, according to Lafazan’s office.

After graduating Locust Valley High School in 2012, Hendriks enlisted in the U.S. Marines’ 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines reserve Infantry battalion; and his younger brother Joseph followed his example, enlisting in the Marines as well in 2013, according to Lafazan’s office.

In 2018, Hendriks, who was a shop steward of the Local 731 Construction Laborers Union, “rose to the opportunity to serve overseas in Afghanistan, where he was a turret gunner perched atop an armored, mine-resistant vehicle, Lafazan’s office said.

Arculeo describe him as unstoppable.

“As tough as he was, his heart was big, he had a smile that was warm and friendly; a great sense of humor and was great at busting chops but knew how to make fun of himself as well,” she said. “He was a loyal friend — humble, and always willing to help. As a son, he was everything we could’ve ever dreamed of.”

The Locust Valley Falcon Pride Booster Club is continuing to support the Robert A. Hendriks Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is awarded to a deserving senior who exemplifies the same traits Hendriks displayed as a high school student. Anyone wishing to donate funds can mail them to Falcon Pride Association, P.O. Box 41, Bayville, NY, 11709.