FORT HAMILTON — It was a dual celebration of sorts.
The American Legion Coffey-Wilson Post 668, one of the oldest posts in Kings County, held its 104th annual gala and award ceremony at the Fort Hamilton Army Garrison Community Club’s Hamilton Lounge last month, honoring more than a dozen recipients.
In addition, the event paid a surprise tribute to Major Juan Diaz, acknowledging his retirement after nearly 25 years of military service.
“Every year we acknowledge the legionnaires that have gone above and beyond the call,” Diaz told the Brooklyn Eagle. “But I’m the commander of the American Legion Post — and I never expected to be recognized; I was totally in shock.”
“It’s not an easy task to surprise Major Diaz,” explained Legionnaire and Sgt. First Class Ruben Vega, who was the self-proclaimed “culprit” in surprising the major.
“Many times it almost slipped,” Vega pointed out. “We were planning this months out because Juan Diaz has done so much for us and the community, and we wanted to go that extra mile for him.”
Diaz, 59, who is originally from Sunset Park, started in the service a bit later in life — at the age of 34 — and simply fell in love with it, he said.
“I decided to retire just shy of 25 years of service because I felt it was the right time,” he said.
But Diaz, who said that he is not one to remain sedentary, is now currently a canine training instructor with the Department of Homeland Security.
“I have to be busy and doing something,” he explained. “That’s just the way I am.”
Among other Post 668 honorees at the event were John Ponte, John Cullen, Chris Morales, Manuel Oquendo, Edwin Mateo, Cesar Baquerizo, Adriana Bello, Ray Aalbue and Sang Lee — who were all given the Veterans Strengthening America award.
The Joan…
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