Kids & Family

Pearl Harbor Survivor Honored with Bench at Local Park

East Northport resident honored for 30 years of military service.

Frank Minnock has seen a lot in his 93 years, 30 of which were spent serving his country in three wars: World War II, Korean and Vietnam 

Minnock’s dedication to his country was recognized Sunday in a special Veterans Day event, in which a bench was dedicated in his name at Veterans Memorial Plaza at John Walsh Park in his hometown of East Northport.

From surviving the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, to fighting in the name of democracy in Korea and to sweltering 120 degree-weather in Vietnam, Minnock has endured it all, and has the military decorations to show for it. He earned the World War II Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 13 stars and three Bronze Stars for both his Korean War and Vietnam War service.

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Even after he retired from military service, Minncok continued to instill his love of country and fellow man in his five children by volunteering to drive the Northport VA Hospital Disabled Veterans van. He would leave his home in darkness to begin his rounds of transporting fellow veterans for medical treatment at the VA Center. 

During the ceremony, his daughter, Kathie Wirth, proudly spoke of her father’s service and how his love for his country carried over into their personal lives growing up, including how his experiences made for interesting show and tell events. 

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“One show and tell displayed new camel saddle, camel whip and dagger hidden inside, followed by story of riding high on one of the smelly, spitting animals over vast seas of sand,” she said.

However, the true horrors of war were never far from his recollection either.

“Vietnam was our first introduction to the dangerous side…” she said, recalling letters her father wrote about 120-degree temperatures and having to check his boots for unwanted vermin.

“We learned about Pearl Harbor and its horrors. We heard how his faith, his duty, his discipline and his dedication prevailed over the death and destruction. We heard about his ship, the Helena and the unimaginable details of what happened before it sunk and after,” she said.

Despite all that he had seen, Wirth said her father never bragged or complained. “What we felt was his commitment to a country he loved. To his family, his wife, his grandchildren and great grandchildren,” she said.

The bench was donated to the Town of Huntington in an effort spearheaded by Minnock’s neighbor, Bill Kiley and a committee of neighborhood residents looking to recognize Minnock for his service. 

Kiley and Minnock have been neighbors for 40 years.

“He’s a patriot and I thought it was important that we do something while he’s still with us to show him how much we appreciate what he did for us,” Kiley said.

Installing the bench became a community-wide effort with local dentist Ray Mascolo leading the fundraising work.

The ceremony included the East Northport Middle School chorus singing the National Anthem, a blessing by the Rev. Henry Schenkel, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in East Northport, and the church’s choir singing the navy hymn, Eternal Father. Surrounded by Minnock’s wife, Eleanor (a member of the choir), his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, daughter Kathie fondly remembered growing up in a household that had, in military fashion, clearly defined rules and responsibilities.  For more than 60 years Frank and Eleanor Minnock have been residents of Eighth Avenue in East Northport, just a couple of blocks away from where the bench now stands in his name.

Minnock showed his humility throughout the service with a bright smile as his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren surrounded him with hugs and signs that read “We Love You Bepa.”

When asked what he thought of the honor, Minnock was nearly speechless.

“It’s something, huh,” he said.


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