Miss America 2008 helped local patriots deliver a red, white and blue salute to the Empire State’s military heroes during a pomp−filled benefit in Dyker Beach, hosted by the Capt. McKenna & LCPL Glover Foundation.
Pagent queen Kirsten Haglund added dazzle to the Third Annual Semper Fi Golf Classic and Awards Dinner, sponsored by Kristal Automall−Kings Highway and held inside the restaurant of the newly−renovated Dyker Beach Golf Course, 86th Street and 7th Avenue, where a star−studded roster of local and national luminaries hailed the supreme sacrifices of US military servicemembers, and helped raise money for their families.
Among the notables were Nashville singing sensation and decorated marine Steven Cochrane, Super Bowl Great Larry Brown and Brooklyn tenor−cop Officer Daniel Rodriguez. Special recognition was given to Mike Valenzo, co−owner of Met Food on Staten Island, and Iwo Jima victors from the Marine Corps League of Staten Island #246.
The foundation was founded in honor of Iraqi War casualties Marine Capt. John McKenna IV of Bay Ridge and Lance Corporal Michael Glover, a deejay and an aspiring lawyer from Rockaway, both of whom were killed in the line of duty, August 2006.
Capt. McKenna was awarded The Silver Star.
