New Windsor’s Vincent Damato joined the Marine Corps at age 18. He’s a veteran of the Gulf War, and following his military service, he attended St. John’s University earning a business degree. After graduation he joined the NY State Police Department and later transitioned to become a NYC firefighter.

He’s someone you might say has a “long and distinguished history of service”. And judging from the turnout at a very special event at his home last week, he’s clearly a pretty likeable guy.

It was on Thursday, Sept. 10, that Celebrity Greens, a company that specializes in the design and installation of world class synthetic golf greens, teamed with Folds of Honor, a non-profit organization which helps and recognizes the families of American heroes, came to town to recognize Damato and his family.

He was gifted a backyard makeover – featuring his own putting green – for the enjoyment of the entire family, including his wife Kathy. The work began September 8 and finished Thursday. That day, Damato’s friends and family gathered to not only check out the space, but to again thank Damato for his service.

The timing was very specific. This year was, all there were reminded, the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. It was noted that Damato worked tirelessly following the September 11th attack assisting in search and rescue at Ground Zero. His close contact with numerous hazardous materials led to significant health issues forcing his retirement after 23 years.

Folds of Honor isn’t new to the family. Both of the Damato’s children are Folds of Honor educational scholarship recipients and face unique challenges in school. Vicenzo, a two-time scholarship recipient, is entering his senior year at Rice University studying computer science. While still in school, Vincenzo Damato created a telecommunications start-up and built an AI system designed to collect and analyze robocalls. Also earning successive scholarships, Arabelle Damato will be entering her senior year of high school. Adopted from an orphanage in China when she was two, Arabelle is an honor student and active in several organizations including sign language.

She also, fun fact, plays on the golf team.

Folds of Honor contacted Kathy Damato via email this summer, and she’s not going to lie – she ignored the emails, thinking they were spam. Finally, she laughs, they called her and said ‘why are you ignoring us?’. She is glad they did.

“We are honored to provide the Damato’s with some more family fun,” said Gina Weber, co-founder of Celebrity Greens. “Vincent Damato selflessly sacrificed so much, and his and Kathryn’s children have overcome many obstacles to become the successful students and people they are today. A Celebrity Greens total backyard makeover brings families closer together and recognizes service to country and community.”

On hand last week were Jason Gordon of Total Turf Landscaping. They spearheaded the work, in conjunction with Celebrity Greens, which is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., authorized dealers from Albany, New Jersey and Connecticut. At the Damato’s house were Celebrity Greens team members Mike Clark, Mark Phillips and Justin Pool. Materials are donated by Challenger Turf, Decker Tool Rental, Hardscrabble Supply, The Motz Group, Standard Golf, C & M Sign Company, Harold Lyons and Sons Inc. and Rocky’s Deli out of Millwood.

The lone speaker at the event, in addition to one of Damato’s former FDNY co-workers, was New Windsor Supervisor Stephen Bedetti, who is a retired police dispatcher and volunteer firefighter himself. He called the Damato family “amazing” and a “wonderful reflection of the strength, dedication and values” of the community.

Bedetti also took a moment to thank Folds of Honor and Celebrity Greens, as well as all of the other businesses and individuals involved in the Damato project. “Your commitment to these projects is truly remarkable,” he said. “What you’ve done here is much more than create a beautiful backyard, you’re showing a family that their service and sacrifice are appreciated.”

Bedetti said he was familiar with the Folds of Honor organization, and that he planned to continue supporting the work they do. He also noted that he had been invited by Damato to stop by for putting practice on occasion and that he planned to take him up on that. Damato, when asked said he “golfs” but wouldn’t necessarily call himself a “golfer”.

Ready to take a swing last week were not only FDNY friends and coworkers of Damato’s, but also many local police and fire department representatives.
For more information, visitcelebritygreens.com. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.