Thanking Our Veterans<br/>
About
Thanking Our Veterans
Touro Law is thankful for the service of all veterans, including our students, faculty and staff members.
Here is a look at a few of Touro Law's own veterans:
Elvin CanarioAviation Operations Specialist
United States Marine Corps
Juris Doctorate Candidate 2020, Full-time Program
Elvin entered the Marines in 2003, three months after he finished high school. In December 2004, an Earthquake in the Indian Ocean caused a deadly Tsunami that struck Shri Lanka and Thailand. His unit, based out of Japan, was immediately dispatched for assistance. In one instance, while fueling up in an airport in Indonesia, Elvin gave his MRE (meal ready to eat) ration to a small child to share with his family. He stated, “That experience gave me know how and confidence in humanitarian situations, which was put to the test quickly when not even a year later; I was faced with New Orleans’ 2005 Hurricane Katrina. Now attached to a helicopter Squadron, based in GA, we immediately flew over to New Orleans, and began rescue efforts. I was writing flight schedules for missions that consisted of picking people off of rooftops. Although never in combat, due to a lot of praying from my mother, the experiences I got from my two humanitarian missions and just my overall experience of being in the marines, has helped me to appreciate and better serve my country, which is one mission that never ends.”
Patrick DonohueUnited States Army
Juris Doctor Candidate 2020, Full-time Program
Patrick joined the Army in 2008 and served with the 101st Airborne Division while on his 3 years of active duty. He deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan from 2010-2011. After being Honorably discharged in 2012, Patrick reenlisted in the Army Reserves from 2014 -2016. He states, “My greatest accomplishment in life is that I am a married Father of three healthy beautiful children. Joining the Military at 27 years old was the best decision I have ever made. It’s an honor and a privilege to be at Touro and I look forward to seeking justice very soon.”
Kevin Garbe Major
United States Marine Corps
Juris Doctor Candidate 2021, Part-Time Program
Following graduation from Lehigh University, Kevin served on Active Duty as an Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1998-2005 and in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from 2007-2011. When he separated from the service, he achieved the rank of Major. Kevin held a wide variety of leadership billets while stationed in various locations around the United States including Marine Corps Base Quantico Virginia, Camp Lejeune North Carolina, and Fort Devens, Massachusetts. He participated in Operations in Kosovo, Djibouti, United Arab Emirates, and Iraq while assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He has received multiple awards and citations including (2) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.
Jonathan GonzalezSergeant, USMC
Juris Doctor Candidate 2021, Full-time Program
I enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 2012, at the age of 17. Shortly after graduating high school, July 7, 2013, I departed to boot camp at Parris Island, SC. During my 10 years of service, including 5 and a half years of active duty service, I served as an Intelligence Analyst and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. During my combat deployment to Afghanistan, I performed the duties of a traditional Marine Rifleman--Marines like to say 'Every Marine is a rifleman' and I embodied that representation. I swept for IEDs during foot patrols, operated machine guns during mounted vehicle patrols, and continued to perform my duties as an Intelligence Analyst marking significant events and briefing senior officers. After my 5 and a half years of active duty service, I was promoted to Sergeant and served as the Intelligence Chief of 2nd Battalion 25th Marine Regiment where I assisted in the management of all Battalion level Intelligence operations. I decided to come to Touro Law school because of my passion to help those who bore the burden of war. I wish to study Veterans law and participate in Touro's Veteran clinic.
Marc MacNaughtonUnited States Marine Corp
Juris Doctor Candidate 2018, Full-Time Student
Marc MacNaughton served in the United States Marine Corps. He stated, "My unit was deployed to the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11, 2001 in response to the terrorist attack. I was among the first responders to the World Trade Center and spent a week at Ground Zero searching the rubble for casualties and expecting at any moment to have an outbreak of war. Shortly thereafter, my unit was deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. I am proud I served in the United States Marines and will always treasure the deep sense of honor, duty and discipline that was instilled in me. I still continue to serve in the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation."
As a result of his Marine Corps service and other life experiences, Marc decided to go into public service law as a prosecutor where he could contribute to the administration of our criminal justice system. He stated, “I was attracted to Touro Law because of its strong trial advocacy programs which provide students with opportunities to interact with local courts and provide hands-on trial practice in live courtrooms. My trial advocacy experiences at Touro have been fantastic and I have learned much more than I ever expected. It is the ideal program and supportive environment to acquire legal advocacy skills.”
Michael P. McGuire Corporal
United States Marine Corp
Second-Year, Full-Time Program
Veterans Law Student Organization, President
Michael McGuire spent 3 months in boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina, 1 month in combat training in Camp Geiger, North Carolina, and 6 months training in North Carolina to become an electrical engineer. After training was over he went overseas on numerous deployments. He stated, “I was honorably discharged in July of 2005. It was an absolute privilege to serve my country with the bravest men and women I have ever met. The men and women who did not make it home will forever be in my heart.”
Patrick NeferisSergeant
United States Army
Juris Doctor Candidate 2020, Full-Time Program
Patrick Neferis served with the United States Army from 2002 through 2006. He was a part of the 1st Armored Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1-36 Infantry Battalion, stationed out of Friedburg, Germany. Patrick held the rank of Sergeant, specializing in vehicle and crew recovery. He deployed to Baghdad, Iraq from May, 2003 until September, 2004, operating out of Firebase Melody. He stated, “My military service is the most selfless and satisfying experience of my life, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served.”
Edmond UnderwoodTechnical Sergeant
United States Air Force
Edmond Underwood joined the United States Air Force in February 2009. He stated, "I started my training in Texas as a Munitions technician and have been blessed to see places from Anchorage, Alaska to Okinawa, Japan. In that time I deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, most recently in 2013. Knowing the actions I took impacted other's lives in a positive way instilled a level of pride I had never felt before. I transitioned out of the military in August 2017 to pursue my legal education. It was an amazing 8 years of service, and I will look back upon them fondly. It was an honor to serve with fellow members of the Air Force and sister services.
Associate Dean Kenneth Rosenblum"When I look back on my legal career, the thing I am proudest of is my military service, working for nearly 5 years as a US Army JAGC officer. It gives me great satisfaction to know that when my country needed me, I answered the call. And now, many years later, I’ve been lucky again, getting the opportunity to give something back to my brothers and sisters in arms, working with the dedicated Touro Law students in the Veterans’ and Servicemembers’ Rights Clinic, addressing the legal needs of homeless and at-risk veterans."
TOURO LAW CENTER VETERANS’ & SERVICEMEMBERS’ RIGHTS CLINIC
The clinic gives priority to matters that will prevent or relieve homelessness or remove barriers to reintegration of veterans into civilian life.
Typical matters handled include:
• Landlord-Tenant matters
• Debt collection and credit report matters
• Discharge upgrades, including assistance to request records
• Driver’s license matters concerning traffic violations and obtaining new, conditional or restricted licenses
• Small Claims Court matters
• Warrant recall within Suffolk County
• Federal and New York State income tax problems
• Application for Certificates of Relief from Civil Disabilities/Certificates of Good Conduct
• Application for clean-up and correction of Record of Arrests and Prosecutions (RAP sheet)
For additional information, click here or please call 631-761-7080.
Veterans Day Ceremony 2018
Touro College School of Health Sciences and Touro Law Center hosted the Annual Touro College Veterans Appreciation Day Ceremony on Thursday, November 8 at the School of Health Sciences in Bay Shore, honoring students, faculty and staff who have served as well as those who are dedicated to service to veterans.
Touro Law Dean Harry Ballan and Touro School of Health Sciences Dean Dr. Louis Primavera were co-recipients of the Patriot Award. Dean Ballan was recognized for his work developing groundbreaking therapies for veterans, as director of the PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury in War Veterans Program at the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function and as a director of the non-profit Songwriting with Soldiers. Keynote speaker was Major Ronnie Maloney of the New York Air National Guard's 103rd Rescue Squadron, part of the 106th Rescue Wing based at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach. Major Maloney was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor for his role in a 2012 mission in Afghanistan in which his team braved intense enemy fire to rescue wounded American and Afghan Soldiers.
See other profiles