Jack LaGrassa, a U.S. Na­val Reservist serving overseas and the son of Jack LaGrassa, a resident and local restauran­teur,

presented the Village of Amityville with a flag that was flown over four missions in Iraq.

LaGrassa, a Naval CV Util­ity Man 1st Class Combat War Specialist, was stationed over­seas

with Special Forces for approximately nine months. He describes his experience unusual, to say the least. "For a reservist over 50-years-old to be put in with the rest of the younger reserv­ists is pretty intense and wild," he said.

The flag itself has an interesting story. LaGrassa pur­chased it in Kuwait in 2005. It was flown on four mis­sions which were documented. The flag was sent back to LaGrassa after each mission with a signed certificate. LaGrassa said he was proud to be able to present the flag to the Village in which he was born and raised. "When you are overseas, everyone wants to know where you are from, and it made me feel special and proud to be from Amityville," he said.

Mayor Peter T. Imbert said he was very proud to re­ceive the flag on behalf of the Village and its residents and said it would be displayed in Village Hall. He of­fered

LaGrassa his thanks and Village officials wished him the best as he leaves Amityville to complete his last few months of service in the reserves.