Veteran and Oyster Bay Resident Receives A Dedication In His Honor

OYSTER BAY, NY — Oyster Bay resident Reginald Butt Jr., a veteran who had 30 years of military service and who often led town board meetings in the Pledge of Allegiance, recently received a bench dedication.

Town officials, such as Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, and Town Clerk Rich LaMarca attended the bench dedication.

“Reggie was a man whose life reflected everything Oyster Bay stands for — family, service, and community,” Saladino said. “His story is woven into the very history of this town, and this bench will forever honor a man whose heart was always anchored right here in Oyster Bay."

Reginald Butt Jr. served in the British Royal Navy during WWI, four days after graduating from Oyster Bay High School in 1956. His family was one of just 12 families brought from Brooklyn by Mr. Jacobson to work at the new shipyard.

He served in the Navy for 20 years in active duty as a radioman. He would transcribe Morse code and teletype communications and received the title Senior Chief Petty Officer. He served 10 more years for the country in the Fleet Reserve. Butt died earlier this year in July at 87 years old.

In his obituary, his family requested that people donate to a local veteran organization, fire department, or any not-for-profit, instead of giving flowers.

“Reggie’s life reminds us that true service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off; it continues in how we live, lead, and give back to others,” Saladino said.