Ep 318: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Vanessa Pino Lockel on hmTv

The Fog of War and Humanity with Rich Acritelli & guest Vanessa Pino Lockel

In this thoughtful and inspiring episode, host Rich Acritelli sits down with Vanessa Pino Lockel, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk County, to explore community service, resilience, and the growing support network for Long Island’s veterans.

Vanessa shares her remarkable journey from growing up in New York City to working on Wall Street, serving in state government during major recovery efforts, and ultimately helping lead one of the region’s most impactful community organizations. She discusses the powerful role of the Suffolk County Farm as a space for healing, learning, and emotional recovery, especially for veterans and their families.

The conversation dives into:

• The mission and impact of Cornell Cooperative Extension
 • The emotional value of open space, animals, and community connection
 • How Suffolk County is expanding mental-health and support services for veterans
 • Vanessa’s unforgettable 66-mile walk across Long Island alongside veterans and advocates
 • The quiet strength and unseen battles faced by those who served

This episode reminds us that honor is not just something we speak—it is something we show through action, compassion, and presence. Vanessa’s work reflects the best of public service and the power of community to lift up those who have carried our nation.

A grounded, moving conversation that celebrates service, resilience, and the belief that healing grows where community invests in humanity.

Transcript

Ep. 318 — The Fog of War and Humanity
with Richard Acritelli and guest Vanessa Pino Lockel | hmTv**

RICH:
Hello and thank you for joining me. I’m your host, Rich Acritelli, and this is The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv. Today, my special guest is Vanessa Pino Lockel. We will talk about veterans affairs and the Suffolk County Farm. Vanessa, welcome. Let’s begin. Tell me where you grew up and some of your early interests.

VANESSA:
Absolutely. I grew up in Long Island City, Queens, before it became what it is today. Back then it was industrial, very mixed, mostly German-Irish. I was probably the only little Colombian girl in my school. Catholic school, all the way through twelfth grade. Eventually we moved to Manhattan. I lived on 95th between Second and Third near Dormandy Court. Lots of hospital workers lived there. Growing up in the city was a wonderful experience.

RICH:
What do you remember most fondly about the city?

VANESSA:
The energy. The hustle and bustle. And yes, the pizza. Connecticut trying to claim pizza superiority is blasphemy. I love traveling, but nothing beats New York energy.

RICH:
And now you’re out in the suburbs.

VANESSA:
Yes. My husband is a retired NYPD officer, a 9/11 responder. When we decided to build a family, we moved out to Long Island. We live in Sound Beach now. He grew up in Lindenhurst, where his family has deep roots going back to when there was a button factory and a farm there. His history gives me street credibility on Long Island.

RICH:
You went up to Maine for college. What did you study?

VANESSA:
Theater. I was a techie. Backstage work, production management, costume design, makeup. I loved building a show. Which is funny because all these cameras and lights today feel familiar.

RICH:
How did you go from theater to Cornell Cooperative Extension?

VANESSA:
Life. You graduate, you need to pay your bills. I temped at Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley. I ended up working on the Merrill trading floor at twenty years old. Amazing experience, intense, stressful. But I eventually realized the fast corporate world wasn’t where I wanted to stay. I moved into nonprofit work, then government: NY State Banking Department, Comptroller’s Office, then the Governor’s Office after Hurricane Sandy. I helped communities rebuild and plan resiliency. It shaped my understanding of how government, community needs, and funding all connect.

RICH:
So the door opened to Cornell Cooperative Extension?

VANESSA:
Exactly. They needed someone who understood Long Island communities, government, and programs. Cornell’s mission spans agriculture, marine programs, youth and family services, nutrition, energy education. It aligns with serving real community needs.

RICH:
Let’s talk about the Suffolk County Farm. That is a gem.

VANESSA:
It truly is. Two hundred seventy-two acres in Yaphank, about 150 animals. Free to the public, open daily. It supports livestock agriculture but also serves as a place where families learn where food comes from, connect with nature, and breathe. During COVID, when everything was shut down, kids came there just to be outside and mentally decompress. We noticed the emotional impact. You could just feel stress drop from people’s shoulders.

RICH:
And now you are adding a veterans-support component.

VANESSA:
Yes. Suffolk County has one of the largest veteran populations in the nation. Legislator Chad Lennon and I talked about how the farm could serve veterans: peaceful walking paths, animal-assisted wellness, community space, mental-health support. We are working with the county veterans office, Paws of War, Warrior Ranch, and independent advocates to build programming and partnerships. The farm is a healing space. We want veterans and military families to feel welcomed and supported there.

RICH:
You also completed that incredible 66-mile veterans walk across Suffolk County with Chad.

VANESSA:
Yes. From Montauk Point to Hauppauge, nonstop, through the night. Brutal weather, freezing temperatures. But the camaraderie was powerful. You walk, talk about life, and struggle together. Mental endurance becomes as important as physical endurance. At one point at 4 AM I was carrying the American flag and almost fell asleep walking. Someone put her hand on my back and helped me hold the flag. That moment meant everything.

RICH:
Does the flag mean something different now?

VANESSA:
Completely. When you walk through exhaustion with veterans, it hits you. The sacrifice. The quiet battles they fight long after service. On Long Island, everyone knows someone who served. And yet many veterans feel invisible. That walk reminded me: the mission is not only honoring them but standing with them.

RICH:
What did you take away personally?

VANESSA:
Compassion. Strength. And a challenge coin Chad gave us at the end, which I earned proudly. But mostly the responsibility to not forget these men and women and their families. They need connection, resources, and respect. We walked for them. They carry us every day.

RICH:
Vanessa, thank you for your dedication and service to the community. We hope to have you back and would love to welcome the veterans and leaders you walked with. Everyone is welcome at the farm.

VANESSA:
Thank you, Rich. And yes, the farm doors are open. We love our veterans and military families. Come visit. Heal. Connect. We are here for you.

RICH:
Thank you for joining us on The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv. Until next time.