Hampton Bays School District Honors Local Veteran

Hampton Bays School District is paying homage to veteran Frederik Dacierno the entire month of March by flying an American flag in his honor.

The Vietnam War veteran was honored on Friday, March 17 during a ceremony held at the school. During the heartwarming fête, the middle school jazz band performed, a number of students from the eighth grade class introduced him, and several notable public officials, such as Southampton Supervisor, Jay Schneiderman, spoke in Dacierno’s honor.

“The district is proud to honor Mr. Dacierno for his bravery and service to the United States,” shared Superintendent of Schools Lars Clemensen.

Dacierno has lived in Hampton Bays ever since moving there with his family from Freeport as a young boy. He studied at the Hampton Bays School District and was drafted a few years after his high school graduation. After being drafted, he left trade school in North Carolina and volunteered and enlisted for three years in the Army Corps of Engineers. After training, Dacierno was sent to Vietnam in August 1970 where he received a number of accolades for his hard work in the Engineer Battalion. Although Dacierno was injured while on tour – an experience he says was one of the scariest in his life, he recovered well and continued his services in the government. He earned recognition with the Bronze Star of Valor; the Purple Heart; the Army Commendation Medal; the Good Conduct Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After being honorably discharged, he came back to the Hamptons and worked for Hampton Excavating.

Dacierno’s bravery and hard work are not to go unnoticed, especially this month thanks to the Hampton Bays School District.