At the July 25th General Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, Legislator Fleming awarded Rose Ann Dobbeck of East Quogue, a United States Marine Corps Veteran, with a proclamation for her service to the country. Ms. Dobbeck worked at the Staff Judge Advocate's Office in legal services while stationed at Marine Corps Base, 29 Palms, in California. Her passion is helping people, especially veterans. This February, she was honored with "The Chapel of Four Chaplains" award and was entered into its Legion of Honor for her assistance at the Chapel and Chaplain Services building at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Northport, New York.
Rose continues to serve her community each year at park clean ups and dedicates her time helping special needs children at a local group home by planting flowers, making hand-crafted chimes, and other craft activities. She recently joined the Hand-Aldrich Post 924 Hampton Bays American Legion where she provides veteran assistance and benefits information to veterans who are seeking services. She also participates in their fundraising efforts. As a professionally licensed health and life insurance agent, she advises seniors on Medicare programs, and helps enroll them in the best plans suited for their needs.
Rose loves spending time with her seven grandchildren whenever she can. She holds close to her heart the notion that "Once a Marine, always a Marine," and is proud each and every day to have served.
Also, awarded in conjunction with Legislator Anthony Piccirillo, was Susan E. Soto, who served in the US Air Force from June 1982 to February 1992. She was stationed at Goodfellow AFB in Texas, Hickam AFB in Hawaii and Bergstrom AFB in Texas. While she was assigned to Goodfellow and Hickam, Sgt. Soto served on the bases Honor Guard/Funeral Detail. Her most notable was being a part of the team that escorted Astronaut Ellison Onizuka to his final resting place. She was deployed to Saudi Arabia working with coalition forces from August 1990 to April 1991 during Operation Shield/Operation Storm. Sgt. Soto also volunteered for TDY assignments which took her to Korea and Panama.
Susan is currently serving as VFW Dunes Post 7009 Quartermaster and previously has held the position of Commander. She serves on the Shinnecock Nation’s Emergency Management Team, Public Safety and Powwow Committee. One of her greatest passions is ensuring all Veterans of the Tribe gets the help they need and deserve. She has held information fairs to assist Veterans and their families both on and off the Shinnecock Nation.
Featured: (L) Rose Ann Dobbeck with Leg. Fleming; (R) Leg. Fleming with Susan E. Soto