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HERALD Chamber honors Stellina Ristorante
Cigarette butts hurt marine life
Bayville honors all veterans
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VOL. 124 NO. 47
NOVEMBER 18 - 24, 2022
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A vet who knew the secrets By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com
Courtesy Reginald Butt
REGINALD BUTT, CENTER, retired from the Navy in 1975. He continued his service to the country by working for the defense industry, setting up simulation systems at Navy bases.
Reginald Butt Jr. graduated from Oyster Bay High School on June 24, 1956. Four days later, he joined the Navy. His father, Reginald, who had been in the British Navy, was “tickled pink,” Butt said. “I always liked the Navy,” said the 84-year-old Oyster Bay resident, who has lived in the hamlet since he was an infant. “My dad used to talk about his service in World War I. His stories were inspirational.” When Reginald Jr. was sent to Virginia to train as a radio operator for six months, he learned Morse code. But then he was switched to mastering the TeleCONTINUED ON PAGE 19
Marie Colvin Way a reminder of a hometown girl’s sacrifice By LAURA LANE & WILL SHEELINE of the Oyster Bay Herald
Legendary war correspondent Marie Colvin is a heroine in her hometown of East Norwich, as she is nationwide. When she was killed on Feb. 22, 2012, in Homs, Syria, Colvin, 56, was on assignment for the British national newspaper the Sunday Times. She was there to tell the story of Syrian civilians trapped in the war-torn city, which the Syrian Army had been bombing for five years. Sabrina Guo, 17, who lives in Oyster Bay and is a Syosset High School senior, thought it fitting that a street be named after Col-
vin in her hometown to honor her legacy. Guo approached Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan in February with the idea, and he sponsored a bill that the Legislature passed unanimously in September. It was a sunny day last Saturday as Colvin’s family members and friends, elected leaders and Oyster Bay residents gathered to name the intersection of Spring and West Main streets Marie Colvin Way. The crowd of more than 50 spilled into the street, there to honor the journalist who spent her career, and lost her life, exposing war crimes and humanitarian crises around
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olvin was a blazing light, persevering in the name of truth and humanity.
SABRINA GUO
High school student, Oyster Bay the world. “I am just so incredibly appreciative to have all of you come out here today,” her sister, attorney Cat Colvin, said. “Marie was always incredibly passionate in her work, so talented and bril-
liant.” Guo said she respected Colvin’s bravery and compassion as she exposed war crimes and humanitarian atrocities when global attention was lacking. “Colvin was a blazing light, persevering in the name of truth and humanity,” Guo said. “Colvin kept burning until she ultimately lost her life in the line of
duty. She was a stalwart pillar and a female role model, and I am proud to be a part of honoring her legacy here today.” Lafazan, describing Colvin as “one of us,” said she was one of the best in the community. Her work, which spanned over three decades, saved the lives of tens of thousands of people, Lafazan CONTINUED ON PAGE 8