Senator Squadron with Hariton Marachilian and his father at the State Senate last Tuesday. Photo courtesy of the Office of Sen. Daniel Squadron

By: Mary Frost
Source: Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Between these three former Marines you’ll find roughly a dozen medals and an unwavering patriotism.

Last Tuesday, state Sen. Daniel Squadron announced his nomination of Abraham Althaibani, Ismile Althaibani and Hariton Marachilian, who grew up in Cobble Hill’s Arab-American community, to the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.

The three are currently New York City police officers.

Squadron pointed out that his announcement came on the same day that Muslim American combat veteran Syed Ali, also currently a police officer, was detained and allegedly harassed by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents at John F. Kennedy Airport.

“I chose to nominate Abraham Althaibani, Ismile Althaibani and Hariton Marachilian … for their service in the Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and their continued service with the NYPD,” Squadron said in a statement. “It’s critical that we remember to honor veterans from all backgrounds, following reports of harassment of Syed Ali by Customs and Border Patrol. I am deeply grateful for their service.”

Brothers Ismile and Abraham, along with Marachilian, grew up together in Cobble Hill. All three deployed with the Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Ismile, who earned a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the battle of Falluja, and Hariton also served in the same Marines Battalion.

More about the nominees below:

Hariton Marachilian

Marachilian enlisted in the Marines in 1998 with the 6th Communications Battalion, based in Brooklyn. He deployed to Iraq in 2003 with the 1st Marine Division as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, rising to the rank of Sergeant.

For his service, Hariton was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Iraq Campaign medal with two bronze campaign stars, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze “M” device, and National Defense Service Medal.

Following his service in the Marines, Hariton joined the NYPD, where he currently serves as a lieutenant in Brooklyn’s 84th Precinct. Hariton has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from John Jay College. He is married and has two sons.

Ismile Althaibani

Ismile Althaibani served with Marachilan in the 6th Communications Battalion. He deployed to Iraq in 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the battle of Falluja in the fall of 2004. He was also awarded a Combat Action Ribbon for his service and rose to the rank of Lance Corporal.

Ismile currently serves in the NYPD with the Manhattan Transit Task Force.

Abraham Althaibani

Like his brother Ismile, Abraham deployed to Iraq in 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. An Arabic speaker, Abraham served on multiple counterintelligence teams affiliated with the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions.

Abraham left the Marines with the rank of Corporal, having earned a Combat Action Ribbon and a Navy and Marine Corps Service Medal for his service. He currently serves in the 88th Precinct of the New York Police Department, in Brooklyn.