Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Joins Partners in Government, Glen Cove City Harbor Patrol,
For Harbor Tour Aboard Sgt. James B. Middleton Vessel
(GLEN COVE, N.Y.) - Ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend on Thursday, Sept. 3, Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D - Glen Cove) joined her partners in government and Glen Cove Harbor Patrol Chief John Testa for a tour of Hempstead Harbor and the waters within Glen Cove Harbor Patrol’s jurisdiction aboard the new Sgt. James B. Middleton patrol boat. Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton secured Nassau County funding for the purchase of the vessel, which was named for a World War II veteran and a longtime pillar of the Glen Cove community.
Middleton, a 1944 Glen Cove High School graduate, served in the U.S. Army Air Corps until his honorable discharge in 1946. Upon his return to civilian life, Middleton served as the City of Glen Cove’s first veteran’s coordinator; was active in the First Baptist Church of Glen Cove; and was a committee member for the Glen Cove Memorial Day parade. In addition, Sgt. Middleton helped launch Glen Cove American Legion Young-Simmons Post 1765, which, at the time of its founding in the 1950s, was one of the first local Legion halls to welcome Black members.
“As we continue to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, it is truly fitting for a vessel dedicated to protecting our beloved waterways to bear the name of James B. Middleton - a man whose legacy is defined by his dedication to service on both the battlefield and the home front,” Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said. “Witnessing this patrol boat actively in use on the waters off of Glen Cove renews my gratitude for all who made this important investment in local public safety possible.”
PHOTO CAPTION - From left - Glen Cove Harbor Patrol Chief John Testa; Nassau County Executive Laura Curran; City of Glen Cove Mayor Timothy Tenke; Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton and City of Glen Cove Councilman John Perrone pictured aboard the Sgt. James B. Middleton patrol boat on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020.
PHOTO CREDIT - Photo by Peter M. Budraitis