BEST OF WESTBURY HONORED
BEST OF WESTBURY HONORED AT BETHANY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH’S 12TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY LAW ENFORCEMENT RECOGNITION DAY
Westbury, NY – October 25, 2010 – There are many heroes in Westbury; some world renowned, and others who go about quietly doing good works. Some of these heroes were recognized by the Bethany Seventh-day Adventist Church at its 12th Annual Community Law Enforcement Recognition Day on October 23, 2010.
Getting top recognition with a Legend Award was Lt. Colonel Spann Watson, the Tuskegee Airman, who resided in Westbury until his passing on April 10, 2010. His daughter, Diane Capers, who accepted the award, said that her Dad’s amazing achievements are well documented, but what is not well known is what a kind, loveable, hospitable family man he was. Ms. Capers also said Spann Watson’s legacy includes integrating the airline industry by conscientiously mentoring scores of young Black aviators. Hugh W. Wyatt, publisher and editor of The Spiritual Herald and The Medical Herald, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work as a newspaper journalist. Mr. Wyatt, who also serves as chairman of the advocacy organization, Clergy and Providers for Racial Healthcare Equality (CPRHE), asked the congregation to support his mission to eradicate health disparities in communities of color. Nassau County Legislator Robert Troiano, the Distinguished Service Award honoree, said he was humbled by the gesture and vowed to continue representing the interests of the community with honor and integrity.
Bethany also took the opportunity to recognize members of the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) for valor, bravery, and outstanding police work. Inspector Kevin G. Canavan, who oversees the Third Precinct in which Bethany is located, and Detective/Sergeant Salvatore Scalone were on hand to help acknowledge Detectives John LoPiccolo and Fritz St. Jean, as well as Police Officers Michael Gnolfo, Kenneth Tymecki, and Hill Karl-Otto. Inspector Cadavan said that despite budgetary and personnel constraints, “crime is down” and the police department continues to make improvements to keep the community safer. He commended the law enforcement honorees for helping to make these accomplishments possible.
Community Service Awards were bestowed on Habeeb Ahmed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI), who emphasized the need to continue interfaith dialogue as an avenue for religious tolerance and the protection of civil liberties. Harold Brown, a 25-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and a 9/11 responder, said it was an honor to make a difference in the lives of those who faced harm and danger. Marnelle Paul, President of Women in Touch of Zion (WITOZ), thanked the members of her organization for the prayers which sustained their humanitarian efforts following the January 12th earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Bishop Robert W. Harris, pastor of Grace Cathedral International and an NCPD Chaplain, was also honored for his collaborative crime prevention work in the community.
Two elders of the Bethany congregation were given Service Appreciation Awards. Melvina Graciela Bullen, Director of Bethany’s African Tribes Pathfinder Club since 1988 and Long Island Area Coordinator for the Pathfinder Clubs of the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was recognized for positively influencing hundreds of young people. Selwyn Irvin Stephen was also acknowledged for more than 25 years of service to Bethany as a choir member, teacher, religious liberty director, music coordinator, historian, resident Bible scholar, deacon, and elder.
Keynote speaker, Vaughn E, James, JD, DD, PhD, the Judge Robert H. Bean Professor and Director of the Tax Clinic at Texas Tech University School of Law in Lubbock, Texas, delivered a sermon entitled Only By This Shall All Men Know. Dr. James, a theologian and scholar, an author, and an accomplished musician, expounded on the merits of love as a conduit to societal harmony. A native of Dominica, Dr. James shared his testimony about his early career as a calypso singer in Trinidad and Tobago and his dramatic conversion to the Seventh-day Adventist faith. A member of the Board of Experts of the International Religious Liberty Association, the public arm of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, a former Field Coordinator at the North American Division Evangelism Institute in La Grange, Illinois, and former Religious Liberty Director of the New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Dr. James pastored churches in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and New York before becoming a law professor. He challenged the honorees and the congregation to “exemplify” rather than merely speak about love.
Another highlight of the celebration was vocalist Felina Backer’s rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings” done as a musical tribute to the honorees. Dr. James LaMar, Bethany’s pastor, exhorted the honorees to continue their dedicated work in the community. In a joint dedicatory prayer with Dr. James, he asked for God’s continued blessings on each person.
According to Dr. LaMar, Community Law Enforcement Recognition Day is held each year to honor law enforcement, clergy, and community officials for exemplary leadership or exceptional service. “The underlying goal, however, is to cultivate goodwill and to inform our community about Jesus’ love and soon return,” he said. The Bethany Seventh-day Adventist Church is located at 962 Prospect Avenue in Westbury, Long Island. For more information about Bethany, contact the Communications Department at bethanysdachurch@gmail.com.