John Geiss, a veteran who served in two branches of the U.S. military, was honored Tuesday night for his 90th birthday.
Family, friends, fellow veterans and elected offiicials, including Suffolk County Legislator Stephanie Bontempi, Town Clerk Andrew Raia, Town Councilmen Sal Ferro and Gene Cook, and State Sen. Mario Mattera, praised him for his service. That included participating in the Berlin Airlift, which ferried essential suppies to West Berlin in 1948-49 after the Soviet Russians blockaded the city.
He served in the US Air Force between 1948-1952, achieving the rank of sergeant, and receiving the Medal for Humane Action with Berlin Airlift Device, and Occupation Medal. He then served in the Navy from 1954-1958.
Geiss is a volunteer and serves as a eucharist minister at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, in Centerport and serves veterans the Eucharist at the Northport VA on Sundays.
He is a member of VFW Post 1469, Huntington Station.
John Geiss/ HuntingtonNow photos
