hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 432: Many Voices One Community with Gaitley Stevenson Mathews and guest Ben Farnan on hmTv
Podcast Description — Episode 432: Many Voices One Community
Host: Gaitley Stevenson Mathews
Guest: Ben Farnan
In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, Gaitley Stevenson Mathews sits down with longtime Glen Cove leader and Korean War veteran Ben Farnan, a man whose life mirrors nearly a century of American history and community service.
At 96 years young, Ben reflects on growing up on Long Island’s North Shore, the immigrant journey of his Irish and Scottish parents, and the hard labor traditions that shaped his character long before he entered military service. He shares stories of working alongside his stonemason father, attending Glen Cove public schools, and making the life-defining decision to serve his country during the Korean War with an early integrated reconnaissance unit.
The conversation traces Ben’s remarkable second chapter as well. After returning home and using the GI Bill to pursue higher education, he dedicated his life to public service, education, and civic leadership, eventually serving as Glen Cove’s Commissioner of Public Safety. Listeners will hear how his commitment to honoring others led him to spearhead the creation of the World War II memorial in Morgan Park, ensuring local heroes would never be forgotten.
More than a history lesson, this episode is about legacy, responsibility, and what it truly means to be a citizen. Ben speaks candidly about faith, community, perseverance, and why bringing people together has always been his mission. His story reminds us that leadership does not come from titles but from action, and that one determined individual can shape the memory and spirit of an entire community.
A moving conversation about service, gratitude, and the power of remembrance, this episode honors a life lived not for recognition, but for others.