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DECEMBER 26, 2024 - JANUARY 1, 2025
VOL. 33 NO. 53
HERALD PERSON OF THE YEAR VINNIE MARTINEZ
Vinnie Martinez's lifetime of service By ROKSANA AMID
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At age 90, Vinnie Martinez has become an enduring symbol of service, dedication and community spirit in Glen Cove. For decades, his tireless efforts to beautify the city, honor its veterans and uplift its residents have left an indelible mark on the city he holds dear. Martinez embodies what it means to give selflessly, to see a need and meet it without hesitation, and the Herald is proud to name him its 2024 Person of the Year. Martinez's most visible legacy is "Vinnie's Island," a 100-foot-long traffic median at the intersection of School Street, North Lane and Brewster Street. Beginning 40 years ago, he transformed this once-overgrown strip into a vibrant garden, bursting with color. "It's all about the color and the people," Martinez said with a warm smile. "I love when passersby stop to chat while waiting at the light. That's the real joy of it." For years he has bought flowers for the island, out of his own pocket — t's just summer poinsettias, delphinium, pink something I coneflowers, peonies, and rows of red and white begonias arranged like flag know I have to stripes. Even now, though he no londo. ger drives, he visits his creation several times a week, often catching rides from VINNIE MARTINEZ neighbors or his son, Vincent Martinez Volunteer Jr., who shares his father's passion for community service. Vincent Jr., the supervisor of Glen Cove's Department of Public Works, credits his father for inspiring his own life of service. "He's always given back, always led by example," Vincent Jr. said. "The way he's cared for Vinnie's Island all these years, and his commitment to the Fire Department and veterans — it's just remarkable." Like his father, Vincent Jr. served in the military, and is a member of the Glen Cove Fire Department. He marvels at his father's energy and devotion. "He's the last of the original volunteers, still stewarding his adopt-a-spot from 1984," he said. "That says it all." At the heart of the elder Martinez's dedication to Glen Cove is a simple yet profoundly meaningful tradition: recognizing residents who fly the American flag. For decades, he has driven around the city, noting homes and businesses displaying the flag. Shortly after returning home from the Navy, he noticed an American flag painted upside down on a plastic cow displayed at a local Glen Cove store. Martinez confronted the shop owner, who didn’t speak English, sparking a heated exchange that drew significant attention in the community. “All hell
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broke loose,” Martinez recalls with a laugh. The incident even made local headlines, with Martinez saving newspaper clippings to this day. That experience, he says, planted the seed for his later tradition of honoring those who proudly display the flag in Glen Cove. He has sent more than 360 certificates of appreciation on behalf of the American Legion to these patriotic people. "It's about encouraging pride in our nation," Martinez says. "A small gesture like this can mean so much," Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, a former city councilman, and one such recipient, said, recalling the emotional impact of receiving a certificate. "The fact that it came from Vinnie, a veteran who's given so much to the community, made it incredibly special. It's a beautiful way to inspire patriotism and remind us to honor our country." Martinez continues to spot new flags on his rides to Vinnie's Island, ensuring that the tradition lives on. Stevenson-Mathews described Martinez as the epitome of selflessness. "He's always stepping up to the plate, whether it's Continued on page 2 Roksana Amid/ Herald
From Navy Veteran to community champion, Vinnie Martinez has a lifelong dedication to Glen Cove.