Nov. 13, 2023 By Rachel Butler
State Sen. John Liu announced the induction of a Flushing resident into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame on Sunday Nov. 12, at the Mary’s Nativity in St. Ann’s Parish in Flushing.
Michael Louis Vulcano, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday and is the son of Italian immigrant parents from Calabria, Italy, served in the United States Marines and is a World War II veteran. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Vulcano, at the age of 19, was in Camp Lejeune in North Carolina as a member of the 2nd Marine Battalion Company B. He boarded a ship that would take him and his fellow soldiers to islands he had never heard of in the Pacific.
Vulcano also fought in the Battle of Okinawa and the Battle of Tarawa Island. He then achieved the rank of corporal before being discharged and returning to his home in Brooklyn to join his parents and eight other siblings.
Vulcano, a current Flushing resident, thanked Liu for the honor of being inducted into the Veterans Hall of Fame.
“It was a privilege to serve my country and I would like to thank my family for always being there for me and my fellow servicemen and women in the military who served alongside me in our country’s greatest hour,” Vulcano said.
Michael Louis Vulcano. Photo courtesy of Liu’s office
Liu said that his induction to the Veterans Hall of Fame is just one small way to thank him and his family for his service to the nation.
“Cpl. Michael Louis Vulcano is a testament to the resilience, sacrifice and indomitable spirit of the ‘Greatest Generation,'” Liu said. “He nobly answered the call of our country at a time of tremendous uncertainty and worldwide conflict and he served honorably alongside his brothers in arms.”
Vulcano was happily married to his late wife Phyllis Russo for 64 years and has two daughters, Denise and Michele. He is also the proud grandfather of Ashley and great-grandfather of Kalani and Keanu.
The family grew up in Bayside in a three-family home surrounded by extended family. Today, Vulcano resides in Flushing with his daughter Denise.
The New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 2005 to honor and recognize veterans from New York for their outstanding service in military and civilian service alike.