Rich Acritelli Honored Again for His History Podcasts

The South Shore Press is proud to congratulate our weekly History Lessons columnist, Rich Acritelli, on receiving the Outstanding Host Award for the second time from Humanity Matters TV, a production of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.

With 180 podcasts to his credit, more than any other contributor, Acritelli has distinguished himself as one of Long Island’s most dedicated chroniclers of military service, civic sacrifice, and the people who shaped America’s story.

His award recognizes his exceptional contributions to the Fog of War and Humanity podcasts, which bring history to life through conversations with veterans, historians, educators, and others whose experiences deserve to be preserved.

A Wading River resident, Acritelli has spent nearly twenty-five years teaching U.S. History and Government at Rocky Point High School, where he is also a coach, advisor, and founder of several student leadership programs. He is a two-time Teacher of the Year recipient and a multi-year honoree of the New York State Veterans of Foreign Wars for education and citizenship.

His academic contributions extend to Suffolk County Community College, where he has served as an adjunct professor for fourteen years, and to the New York Center for Teacher Development, where he designs and instructs graduate-level courses on American history, warfare, 9/11, and the modern classroom.

Acritelli’s perspective is shaped not only by scholarship but by service. He spent nine years in the Army Reserves and the New York Air National Guard as a Staff Sergeant, transporting jet fuel, munitions, and heavy materials along the East Coast while championing physical fitness within his units.

That experience underpins his stewardship of the VFW Post 6249 Military Museum in Rocky Point, where he curates a collection of artifacts and personal stories that bring America’s military history to life.

Never one to rest on his accomplishments, Acritelli has also launched a new educational initiative, Legendary Discussions Incorporated, which offers historical education and leadership talks. For more information, visit legendarydiscussionsinc.com.

The Holocaust Center’s Bernie Furshpan praised Acritelli’s dedication to preserving history and sharing it with new generations.

“Rich Acritelli is an extraordinary educator, historian, and storyteller whose passion for preserving our nation's history is unmatched,” Furshpan said. “Whether he's in the classroom, behind a microphone, or sharing the stories of our veterans, Rich brings tremendous knowledge, energy, and heart to everything he does.”