We are proud to continue the Hometown Heroes: Speaker Series, highlighting the veterans and first responders who are an important part of our Hauppauge community. Episode 3 of the series proudly featured two distinguished Hauppauge alumni John Scimeca and Doug Hershberger, whose lives reflect extraordinary dedication to service, leadership, and giving back.
John Scimeca
A member of the Hauppauge High School Class of 1980, John’s journey as a Hauppauge Eagle began when he entered Bretton Woods Elementary School in its opening year. He remained active throughout his school years, participating in multiple sports while also attending BOCES to study automotive mechanics.
John joined the Hauppauge Volunteer Fire Department during his senior year of high school and went on to dedicate decades of service to the department and the broader community. Rising through the ranks, he served as Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, and Chief of the Hauppauge Volunteer Fire Department from 1988 to 1997. He completed extensive training at SUNY Suffolk, the Suffolk Fire Academy, and the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. John later served as President of the Islip Town Fire Chiefs Council and was appointed Commissioner of Public Safety and Emergency Management for the Town of Islip, a role he held from 1997 through 2006. He has also served as a Fire Safety Director and property manager, continuing his commitment to public safety beyond municipal service.
Doug Hershberger
A proud graduate of Hauppauge High School’s Class of 1999, Doug is a lifelong member of the Hauppauge community. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, reporting to boot camp in October 1999. Stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, Doug served as a Motor Vehicle Operator and was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom aboard the USS Iwo Jima, its maiden voyage.
After four years of honorable service in the Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Corporal, Doug later returned to military service by enlisting in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer. He was deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, where he served on route clearance missions and patrols, helping ensure the safety of military and civilian convoys. Following a non-combat injury, Doug was honorably medically discharged in October 2011. Today, he remains active in the Hauppauge community and is the proud father of a current Bretton Woods student.
Through their experiences in public safety and military service, John Scimeca and Doug Hershberger exemplify the values of courage, commitment, and community pride. Their stories offered students a powerful reminder that heroes often begin their journeys right here in Hauppauge—and that service can take many meaningful forms.