We received a phone call from former Oyster Bay resident Madeline Bonasia. You may remember her as a resident of Oyster Bay, and Stuart Chase's assistant at Raynham Hall Museum and before that, when she wrote for the Oyster Bay Enterprise Pilot. She is now living in Jupiter, Florida, as do many local residents.

Madeline was overjoyed to report that her son James Bonasia, who grew up on Peerless Drive, was being welcomed home at Fort Totten with the troops returning from Iraq. A graduate of Lutheran High, and NYIT with a degree in communications, he was in the ROTC at Hofstra University. He now lives in Westbury with his wife Faylene and 10-month old daughter Angela. Army Reserve Captain James Bonasia, commander of the 340th Military Police Company was quoted in the Daily News as saying, "I've been waiting a long time," to hold her.

He said the accomplishment he was most proud of was leading his unit through combat without any casualties. He was quoted as saying, "We were everywhere...and we had some scary moments, but the bottom line is we all came home safe," he said.

That was the same comment he made when returning from serving in Kosovo. Mr. Bonasia has served his country, county and town well.

We shared his family's concerns as he progressed through Kuwait and Iraq. It is wonderful to know he is home, safe and sound.

The story in the Daily News said Angela arrived waving an American flag. A fitting greeting for her father who is a great American patriot.

- DFK