In continuing its mission to take history out of the textbooks by honoring local veterans, the Hampton Bays School District celebrated its 36th Flag Day on June 14 and paid tribute to Navy and Air Force veteran Anthony “Tony” Sena.
During the celebration, second graders spoke about Sena’s life story, sang patriotic songs, read poems and even rapped to honor Old Glory. Some favorites were Yankee Doodle and Fifty Nifty United States. Prior to the event, the students learned about the U.S. flag and its history.
Following the ceremony, a flag was raised to honor Sena, who is the 80th veteran to be honored by the district.
Sena started his military career when he joined the Naval Reserves with a two-year active commitment and four-year reserve commitment in 1967. He completed his basic training at the Great Lakes Training Center and then moved on to more advanced training. After completing training in July 1968, he was assigned to the Destroyer U.S.S. Masey as an interior communications electrician and was then transferred to a light cruiser. He then had responsibility for the ship’s missile warning systems and six destroyers in the Mediterranean Squadron.
In 1970, Sena joined the reserves as a command career counselor in New Orleans. He stayed in the Navy and eventually achieved the rank of E-6 (first class petty officer). His tour of duty consisted of five Atlantic Ocean crossings and two Mediterranean tours.
It was at this time that the Navy was reorganizing, and promotions were scarce, so Sena switched to the Air Force Air National Guard in March 1981 as an electrician (E-5) at the Gabreski Air Base. There, he worked his way up the ladder to exterior electrician (E-6), then master sergeant (E-7), then senior master sergeant (E-8) and finally chief master sergeant (E-9) in 1991. He went on many worldwide deployments during his career.
Sena retired from the Air Force in June 2008 with over 41 years of service. He is the recipient of, among others, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Outstanding Unit Award, the Coast Guard Unit Commendation, both Naval and Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Force Training Ribbon and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. He also qualified as an expert in small-arms marksmanship. He is most proud of his New York State award – the Defense of Liberty Ribbon – for working at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks in New York City.
Sena continued his civilian career as an electrician on Long Island. He and his wife, Peggy, have three daughters and seven grandchildren.
The Hampton Bays School District recognizes Sena for his commitment to his country, family and community.
To read Anthony “Tony” Sena’s full bio, visit https://www.hbschools.us/district/flag_ceremony
Date Added: 6/24/2024