Supervisor Joseph Saladino and his colleagues on the Oyster Bay Town Board recently selected United States Marine Corps. Sergeant Tyree Stevens as the recipient of the Town of Oyster Bay’s 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award.

 

“The Town’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award is presented to noteworthy individuals in recognition of their outstanding leadership and achievement, adherence to the principals of a just society and continued involvement in support of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Dream,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Our diversity is our strength and this prestigious recognition reflects upon the incredible leadership and courage of Martin Luther King Jr., and also on the local contributions being made every day in our community by extraordinary people.”

 

Sergeant Tyree Stevens enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 2010 from the East Bronx Recruiting Station and attended recruit training in South Carolina. Upon completion, he was assigned to Marine Combat Training Battalion, Hotel Company, Camp Geiger, North Carolina, where he completed Marine Combat Training. After training camp, Private Stevens was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine division in Garden City. Over the years, Private Stevens earned the ranks of Private First Class, Lance Corporal, Corporal, and was finally promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2016. Throughout his service, Sergeant Stevens’ efforts have helped keep the lines of communication open between active and Reserve Marines. Throughout his military career, Sergeant Stevens has built an unmatched reputation for his willingness to volunteer for causes and endeavors that help others and advance the general welfare. He routinely volunteers to assist in coordinating color guard details and provide funeral honors. In April of 2017 Sergeant Stevens joined the Active Reserves program and volunteered to be the Battalion Color Sergeant overseeing and conducting Color Guards throughout the tristate region. As a Martial Arts instructor, Sergeant Stevens not only trained Marines but in his free time he conducted self-defense classes for military spouses as well as members of the community.  With his devotion to duty and his ability to get the mission accomplished, Sergeant Stevens was noticed throughout the Battalion. The Toys for Tots coordinator, Gunnery Sergeant Sardine, chose Sergeant Stevens as his assistant coordinator for the years 2019 and 2020. Sergeant Stevens is the embodiment of Marine Corps value commitment by the way he has always been committed to volunteering his time to New York. Sergeant Stevens has done 170 Color Guards, 256 Funeral Honors, 336 Toys for Tots events, and 75 community relation events. Sergeant Stevens recently received the Outstanding Volunteer service medal by his unit for all his off duty volunteer hours.

 

“The foundation for a healthy community is dependent upon the leadership of people like Sergeant Tyree Stevens,” added Supervisor Saladino. “This prestigious recognition reflects upon the incredible leadership and courage of Martin Luther King Jr., and also on the local contributions being made every day in our community by extraordinary people like Sergeant Stevens.”