Mattie O'Reilly Honored for Service to Country and Community

The American Legion recently honored long time Kings Park resident Matt O’Reilly for 60 years of service to the American Legion.

Proclamations were presented from U.S. Rep. Timothy Bishop, N.Y. State Sen. John Flanagan as well as other local political dignitaries.

Dave Ryan, aide to Legis. Lynne Nowick and the great-nephew of O’Reilly had the honor of presenting the proclamation. 

“He is someone that deserved each of these accolades, and even as he accepted each, he did so with a humility and grace that I am envious of,” said Ryan. “Uncle Matt always has a smile on his face, and a kind word for all he comes across.”

O’Reilly began his service with the American Legion in 1951 as many of his generation did. For the next sixty years, O’Reilly would serve in virtually every leadership capacity at the Donald C. Munro Post #944, including Commander from 1969-1972. In 2000, O’Reilly was named the posts’ Man of the Century.  

O’Reilly volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1942 and served three years in the Pacific as a member of the 841st Engineering Battalion. He returned home to Kings Park after the war and became a staff member at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center until he retired in 1979.

Hans Richter, a member of the Legion Post spoke about how O’Reilly has impacted generations of Kings Park resident.

“I have know Mattie my whole life because my grandfather was also a member of Post 944. Putting it simply, Mattie O’Reilly is a living legend in Kings Park. The man is a direct link to our history,” he said.