Remembering Marine Corporal Steve Vahaviolos of Airmont, NY (April 24, 1985 – May 11, 2006).

Steve was born in Brooklyn on April 24, 1985 to Gus and Vasiliki (Vicky), who came to America from Greece. His family then moved to Airmont, New York. He attended Cherry Lane Elementary School and graduated from Suffern High School in 2003. After graduation he fulfilled his childhood dream and joined the US Marine Corps. In his private life he enjoyed reading, listening to music, and playing video games and enjoyed the company of his cat, Mr. Kitty.

In the Marines, Steve was assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

On May 11, 2006 along with three other Marines (named below), Cpl. Steve Vahaviolos died when their tank rolled off a bridge during night maneuvers into a canal north of Fallujah in Al Anbar province, Iraq. This was his second deployment to Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Jason K. Burnett

Lance Cpl. David J. Grames -Sanchez

2nd Lt. Michael L. Licalzi.

All four Marines were assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

In 2010, the Airmont Village Board renamed Eleanor Place as Marine Cpl. Steve Vahaviolos Memorial Way (pictured below).

In 2013, a new gazebo at Airmont Village Hall was dedicated in his memory.

In 2018, the Rockland County Gulf War/War on Terror Monument opened at the Haverstraw Bay Park (Pictured below). The Monument honors Rockland residents who served and gave their lives during Operation Desert Storm and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Marine Cpl. Steve Vahaviolos was 21 years old. His medals include a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal & Expeditionary Medal, and an Iraq Campaign Medal.

RIP Cpl. Vahaviolos – gone but never forgotten. 🇺🇸