USMC GySgt. Eugene “Paul” Summers

Paul is survived by his loving wife, Michelle; daughters Danielle,Meghan, and Kristen; cousins Joseph, Peter, and John Ruggieri.

He lived a “dash” that would be out of a Clint Eastwood written/ directed film. From a young age, he had an unwavering patriotism. So much so, that at fifteen years old he left home, using his older brothers ID, but that’s a whole other story; he fulfilled his dream, of enlisting in the United State Marine Corp.

Despite his youth (which is an understatement), he made it through Basic Training at Parris Island.

After completing Boot Camp, he was quickly deployed to numerous battles and campaigns. He was in the first waive of Marines to land

on the beach at Iwo Jima, later present at the raising of the United States Flag, as the iconic picture of the flag being raised at Mt. Sirubachi was memorialized. Paul served in the Korean War .He was at the battle of the Chosin Reservior, he survived and was part of a group of Marines called “The Chosin Few”, surviving one of most infamous battles in the history of the Corp. He was deployed to Palestine as Israel was becoming a state. He went on to become a Drill Instructor at Parris Island.

The battles and campaigns are too many to list.

Upon discharge, he joined the Nassau County Police Department, joining the Motorcycle Unit, which was his love. He later became a Detective assigned to then County Executive Francis Purcell.

He lived a good life, and he would always laugh as he would say, “Let them know you are here”. Mission accomplished....10-4.