Number of Participants: 12
Hours Donated: 1
Value of Time Served: $101
Event Type: Veterans & Military Families
Sport: Football
Date: November 14, 2019
Location:
Lindenhurst
NY 11757, USA
About:
In true Lindenhurst fashion, the community came out in full force on Nov. 8 to recognize one of their own. Robert Dorner, a graduate of the Lindenhurst High School Class of 1964, was a well-loved equipment manager for the Lindenhurst High School varsity football team who died at war. A bulldog to be proud of, a ceremony was held to remember the veteran.
In July 1964, Robert joined the U.S. Marine Corp and was assigned to the supply company of the 3rd service Battalion in Da Nang. On March 24, 1966, only two years after his graduation, Robert was killed on a resupply mission when he was hit by sniper fire.
Years later, Robert’s father, Henry Dorner, gave his son’s class football jacket to his childhood friend and neighbor Kevin Fowler. In September, Kevin brought the jacket back to Lindenhurst High School and left it in the care of security guard Bob Cropsey in hopes that the school would honor the memory of the fallen veteran and Lindenhurst alumnus.
Mr. Cropsey took it upon himself to organize a small ceremony at the high school where Robert’s varsity jacket was framed by the Lindenhurst Football Alumni Association and presented to members of the district’s administration including Superintendent of Schools Daniel E. Giordano, High School Principal Dr. Candice Brodie and Director of Health, Athletics and Physical Education Anthony Amesti.
Also in attendance were members of the varsity football team, coaching staff and alumni association, members of the Lindenhurst High School Classes of 1964, 1965 and 1966, local Vietnam veterans, representatives of the local VFW, U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps and local politicians including Lindenhurst Mayor Michael Lavorata, Village Administrative Clerk Douglas Madlon and Assemblyman Kevin McCaffrey.
“We can learn from his experience lessons of bravery, determination and courage,” wrote Edward Curry, Lindenhurst High School student and editor of the school paper. “From a small-town boy to a lost memory in Lindenhurst’s history, Robert shall not be forgotten.”