Two Officers. A Family. A Mission.
Nicholas (Nick) and Caroline “Leigh” Auletta of East Northport look and act like many other Long Island families: they are loving parents of four strong boys -- all under the age of five -- each morning Nick heads to the office where he serves as a Vice President at Summit Security Services, Inc., while Leigh nurtures the growth and education of their sons and works with several nonprofit organizations. But, before the Aulettas moved to the north shore of Long Island, they met when they both attended West Point Military Academy, and begin dating while they were both stationed down south in Fort Hood, and Leigh traveled as far east as Hyderabad, India to play soccer in the 2007 Military Olympics. Both Nick and Leigh are decorated US Army Captains. During six and a half years of military service, which included 44 months of deployment time to the Iraq combat zone, Nick earned Airborne, Ranger, and Combat Infantryman qualifications. Leigh, an Engineer Officer who continues to serve in the Individual Ready Reserve, earned the Air Assault Badge and served in a Joint Service capacity during her deployment to Iraq.
Nick and Leigh do not take for granted their happy family life or that they have the support and love for each other that many veterans struggle to find when coming home to Long Island. The transition from military to civilian life can be difficult. When Nick first learned of the programs that United Way of Long Island had in place to assist veterans in getting support within the community, he knew that he wanted to continue to further serve his community and fellow veterans through their efforts. After joining the United Way of Long Island Board in 2011, Nick became further involved in the organization’s veteran programs, citing that, “As Long Islanders, parents and veterans, Leigh and I feel implored to do whatever we can to better our community and assist our neighboring military peers.”
Recognizing that they wanted do more to increase awareness of the issues facing the Long Island veteran community, the Aulettas enlisted as Co-Chairs of United Way of Long Island’s veteran incentive program: MISSION UNITED. As Co-Chairs of Mission United, Nick and Leigh hope to make the transition for returning veterans smoother through the programs and partnerships supported by the program. Leigh notes that, “Coming home is a tough transition from your previous military mindset, especially if you served overseas. You might have a loving family that just doesn’t truly understand what you went through during your time in the service, this can leave a veteran needing special care. Nick and I are fortunate that we have each other for support. That is why we want to share that support system through Mission United, by offering veterans the exceptional services they so richly deserve.”
Acknowledging that peer-to-peer engagement is often the best way to establish trust and connect the veteran community with the support resources available to them, the Aulettas hope that their involvement with Mission United will help their peers find programs that are already working for fellow veterans. While physical wounds are often visible, there are frequently deeper psychological unseen wounds that our veterans return with and often don’t know where to turn for help. Economic hardships are often faced and the threat of underemployment often looms as some veterans have difficulties transferring their skills leaned in the military to their civilian lives. Through Mission United and its nonprofit partner agencies, Nick and Leigh want their veteran peers know that they can receive job training, mental health and family counseling support, emergency financial assistance and housing opportunities through Mission United. Nick stated, “When special issues occur, United Way of Long Island looks to be that connective tissue to get veterans into the right programs, supported through Mission United.”
Photo Credit: Staff Seg. Ken Melton, USMC (Ret.)