Our keynote speaker at the 142nd Anniversary Lincoln Dinner, was John Jay LaValle, Chairman, Suffolk County GOP, Regional Vice Chair NYS GOP and Trump Campaign Spokesman. Chairman LaValle was the recipient of the American Patriot of the Year Award, duly honored for his winning spirit in all his endeavors and above all, putting his country above his political aspirations, as a shining example of the true American patriot. The award was presented by Bob Turner, Chairman of Queens County Republican Party, and former Congressman from Brooklyn-Queens. Chairman Turner won the epic special election against longtime Democrat David Weprin in an overwhelmingly Democratic district, becoming the first Republican to represent the area in over eighty years.
Robert F. Holden, President of the Juniper Park Civic Association, was honored at the Lincoln Dinner for Lifetime Achievement. He was the recipient of the Harvey E. Moder Lifetime Achievement Award for his full devotion of time and energy to benefit the community, and his lofty accomplishments, not the least of which is the Juniper Park Civic Association, which he has shaped into one of the leading civic groups in New York State. The award was presented by James A. Trent, President/Founder of the Queens County Farm Museum, President Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance Foundation, Chairman of the Board of the Queens Village Republican Club and Lincoln Dinner Chairman.
Lt. Col. Paul Schottenhamel, U.S. Army (Ret.), the past Queens County American Legion Commander, was honored as the Veteran of the Year at the Lincoln Dinner. He was the recipient of the Rabbi Morton Pomerantz Veteran of the Year Award, for his heroism on the battlefield, as a highly decorated combat war veteran, and his tireless leadership of the community of veterans in New York City, in order to always remember their service and sacrifice to keep America free. The award was presented by Lt. Col. John W. Peterkin, U.S. Army (Ret.), who served in World War II, served two combat tours in Korea, and two combat tours in Vietnam and served in NYC as an NYPD Officer.
