Politics & Government

New Director of Veterans Service Agency Appointed

Mangano says appointee 'brings many years of experience in veterans services' to Nassau County.

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano announced the appointment of Mathew J. Rufrano of Bethpage as director of the county's Veterans Service Agency. The agency serves as the coordinating agency for all veterans in Nassau County.

"The county's Veterans Service Agency is a key resource for all of our veterans and will be a vital part of my administration," Mangano said. "Mathew Rufrano brings many years of experience in veterans services and I welcome him to our team."

Nassau County's Veterans Service Agency assists veterans and their families in matters such as educational training, health, medical and rehabilitation services, as well as in obtaining their real property tax exemption and discharge upgrades. Additionally, the agency coordinates a volunteer program to transport veterans to the VA Hospital in Northport. It is the mission of the agency to ensure that all veterans are receiving the benefits and services that they are entitled to.

"We are creating new veterans every day and we have an obligation to help them in any way we can," said Rufrano, a veteran of the United States Air Force and the New York Air National Guard. "And, of course, we must address the needs of our veterans from past wars. I am looking forward to working with County Executive Mangano and Nassau County's veteran community."

Rufrano has been involved in veterans services for more than 25 years, including the Vietnam Veterans of America's Nassau County Chapter No. 82's "Vets Helping Vets" Committee along with sponsoring the chapter's volunteer visits to Walter Reed Army Hospital. He is also the founding secretary of Chapter No. 82 and has volunteered as its Assistant Chaplain, where he performed memorial services for deceased members. A recipient of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 82's Distinguished Service Award and the President's Award, Rufrano was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force in 1970.

He is also a founding member of the Town of Oyster Bay's Veteran Advisory Council, spearheaded a fundraiser to benefit the family of a veteran who died from Agent Orange-related diseases, and volunteered as a guide for the Vietnam Memorial's "Traveling Wall" during its stop in New York.
 
"It is so important that we reach out to our veterans so they have access to necessary services, including health care, benefits, job placement, and any other needed assistance," Mangano said. "As the son of a Korean War veteran, the issues facing our veterans are for me, personal and deeply felt. I am confident that Mathew Rufrano will serve the veterans of Nassau County well."

For more information on the Veterans Service Agency, call (516) 572-8452.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here