Manning Honored By Rotary, Legion With Stars and Stripes Tribute

The Northport Rotary Club was joined by members of the American Legion at Village Hall Tuesday, June 14 —Flag Day, appropriately enough — to dedicate the fundraiser to the late Richard "Dick"Manning,

Manning had been a member of both organizations as well as a longtime member of the Northport-East Northport Board of Education. The first of the flags to be taken down was presented to Dick's wife Betsy, on hand for the ceremony with many members of the Manning family.

Rotary president Dana Sydney said that Manning exemplified the Rotary motto: service above self.

Northport American Legion Past Commander Jim Mahoney said that Manning was also one of the "primary guys" who contributed to the construction of the Woodside Avenue building in the 1950s.

Deputy Mayor Henry Tobin said that Manning's legacy would be to inspire others to get involved in service to their community.

He noted that it was no coincidence that Manning was a member of the legion and the rotary as they are two of "major" service organizations in the village.

"We can think of him as catalyst who not only got involved but encouraged others to get involved by being a role model. "I hope his legacy is to continue to inspire others to get involved," he said. "That way his service will continue to be fresh."

Sydney said that more than 200 flags had been sponsored and dedicated. The flags came down Wednesday.