senate patty ritchie 2015 veterans hall of fame nominees

8/9/2019 Senate Patty Ritchie 2015 Veterans Hall of Fame Nominees

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2015 Nominees

Senator Patty Ritchie

Ha Fme


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May 14, 2015

Dear Friends:

From America’s founding, citizens from all walks of

life answered our nation’s call to stand and defend

liberty, freedom, and all we cherish.

Brave men and women fought and died, and manymore returned home to build communities and a

nation that is more just and right. Tonight, we

honor just a few of these heroes, we celebrate their

service and we remember their sacrifice.

It’s a small way of saying ‘Thank You’ for all you

have done--and all you continue to do.

Congratulations to all of our honorees.

Sincerely,


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Ha Fme

Grover Britton proudly served in the Navy during World War

II. He has been a dedicated member of the American Legion

for the past 52 years, and is the longest standing member of

the Hastings-Gorski American Legion.

After leaving the Navy, he joined the Williamstown American

Legion, where he served as the Post Commander. In addition,

Grover has also served as the Oswego County American Legion

Commander.

GROVER BRITTON


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Ha Fme

Donald Buske was born in Oswego and was a graduate of

Oswego High School. He joined the US Army and served in the

European Theater during World War II.

Wounded in action in Luxembourg, Germany, Donald was

awarded a Purple Heart, as well as the Medal of Honor for

personal acts of valor that went above and beyond the call of

duty.

DONAL D B USKE


5/20

Ha Fme

Brian Campbell retired from the US Army after serving in Vietnam,

where he was injured. After his time spent serving his country, Brian

served his community as a member of the Fulton Police Department. In

addition, he also worked with fellow former service members as assistant

director and director of the Oswego County Veterans’ Agency in Fulton.

In this role, he took great pride in assisting veterans and as a result,

came to be known across the United States for his excellent knowledge

and understanding of legislation affecting current and former members

of our military. In addition, Brian was appointed by the nation’s first

Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Secretary Edward Derwinski, to serve on

an advisory council in Washington, DC that worked to address issues

facing wartime veterans. He also served his fellow veterans as a member

of the Fort Drum Retiree Council and Dean of New York State’s AmericanLegion Service Officer’s School.

BRIAN AW CAMPBELL


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Ha Fme

After graduation from college, Jack Cottet enlisted in the Air

National Guard Air Crash Rescue and Fire Department and

served in the Air Force from 1966 to 1972. Jack has continued

to stay active in the community and serves on the Board of

Directors for the Cleveland Historical Society. He is one of

the pillars of the Village, known for his keen memory, wit and

ability to think quickly. He has been an institutional member

for the Cleveland Fire Department, and was recognized in 1975

as the Citizen of the Year for the Northshore Ambulance. Jack

is known for always making the best of every situation, and

continues his public service by donating his time and mowing

the lawns of many people in the community.

JACK COTTET


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Ha Fme

Although Dalton Foster earned a Cornell University scholarship to help

him pursue a career in science, he decided to take a leave of absence

from his studies— as well as ease the financial burden placed on his

parents—by enlisting in the Marines in 1957. Dalton was deployed to

Rota, Spain, where the US Marines played an active role in assisting

and training the Spanish Military against Communist insurgency and

serving as the ultimate deterrent when necessary. After several years of

serving overseas, and being awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Daltonwas honorably discharged in 1960. He returned to his studies at Cornell

University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

in 1963. Although he retired after a 30 year career with Bristol-Myers

Squibb, Dalton never slowed down. Following his retirement, he helped

the Massena Marine Corps League Detachment #685 collect donations

for Toys for Tots and served as an honor guard at Marine wakes and

funerals. Dalton was also a tireless advocate for the preservation of St.

Lawrence River water levels and was instrumental in helping the town ofLouisville expand its initial public water district.

DALTON FOSTER


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9/20

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Corporal William Hogan was part of the C Battery 639th in

World War II, where he served as part of an Anti-Aircraft

Artillery and an Automatic Weapons Battalion.

Wounded in action on December 16, 1944 during the Battle of

the Bulge, William received the Purple Heart in recognition of

his service. His battalion helped to liberate the Buchenwald

Concentration Camp, and one of its survivors—Leopald Lowy—

has remained friends with William to this day.

WILLIAM HOGAN


10/20

Ha Fme

Leaving high school early to fight for our freedom, Donald Keeney proudly

joined the US Marine Corps, where he served in the 3rd Amphibious

Marine Division from January 29, 1943 to December 2, 1945, when he

was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. As a Marine, he qualified as an

Expert M-1 Rifle and Amphtrac mechanic. Donald served in the Pacific,

including stints in Guam and Iwo Jima. After returning from the war,

he continued to serve his community in many ways, as a trustee of the

Granby School District, Justice of the Peace in the Town of Granby for 16years, and Mayor and Trustee of the Village of Fair Haven. After raising

his family, Donald went back to school, earning his high school diploma

from the Fulton City School District in a ceremony that his entire family

attended. A dedicated family man, Donald married his high school

sweetheart, and the couple have been married for 69 years, and have

four children, nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. While

he has accomplished many things, it’s often said that one of Donald’s

greatest achievements is teaching his family what it means to serve one’scountry and be a proud American.

DONAL D KE ENEY


11/20

Ha Fme

Joseph McCarthy was assigned to Camp Drum as the HQ Company

Commander before volunteering for duty in Vietnam. His military

awards include the Bronze Star for Heroism, two Army commendation

medals, Combat Air Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the

New York State Conspicuous Service Medal. Honorably discharged

in 1969, he is currently part of the Ogdensburg AM Vets and local

VFW. Joseph is extremely active in his local community and is the

founder of “Ducks Unlimited” in Ogdensburg, where he served as

its first president. In addition, he also served as a past president

of the Ogdensburg Minor Hockey Association, and as a volunteer

assistant coach for the Ogdensburg Free Academy Junior Varsity

Football team. In addition, for two decades, Joseph has served as

assistant General Parade Chairman for the Ogdensburg SeawayFestival.

JOSEPH MCCARTHY


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After attending Ogdensburg Free Academy and SUNY Canton,

Michael McCarthy enlisted in the US Army Reserves. He is

assigned to Company C, 479 Eng. BN. In honor of his service,

MSG Michael McCarthy has been awarded the 2013 Bronze

Level DeFlurey Medal, presented by the US Army Engineer

Association.

This highly prestigious award recognizes outstanding

leadership and achievement on a national level. Michael is a

member of the Ogdensburg VFW as well as a lifetime member of

the Heuvelton Amvets, where he has volunteered in numerous

youth celebrations.

MICHAEL MCCARTHY


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Frederick Millard is someone who would let nothing stop him

from serving his country. Having to obtain a special waiver

from his parents, Frederick joined the Navy during WWII.

He was an engineer, and legend has it that his crew made the

longest open ocean voyage on his PT boat.

While out to sea on the Pacific Ocean, his boat faced Kamikaze

raids for two weeks straight. After the war, they rescued

prisoners at a POW camp, many whom had been there since

the beginning of the war. A man who is humble about all he

has done for his fellow service member, Frederick has said “we

had a job to do, and that was it.”

FREDERICK MILLARD


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Ha Fme

A lifelong resident of Watertown, Bernard E. Palumbo put his high school

career on hold to serve his country. Enlisting in the US Navy, Bernard served

in the European Theater of World War II. Most of his time was spent aboard

minesweepers, namely, the USS Chickadee. One of the highlights of his service

was fighting in the Invasion of Normandy – one of the largest amphibious

military assaults in history. Bernard was honorably discharged at the rank of

SO 3. Upon his leaving the service, Bernard returned to Watertown to complete

his high school education at Immaculate Heart Academy. It was then, also,that he rekindled his romance with Sarah Flynn—the classmate whom he

wrote to during his time away, who soon after returning home would become

his wife. Sarah and Bernard married in June of 1949, and the couple had three

children, Jack, Judy and Janet. Bernard worked for more than three decades

in the planning department of Niagara Mohawk, and was also involved in a

number of local organizations, including the American Legion, the Watertown

Elks Lodge and others. An avid outdoorsmen, Bernard also loved to fish and

hunt—especially on land he owned on the Tug Hill Plateau. Above all elsethough, Bernard was dedicated to his family, who enjoyed spending time with

his wife, children, grand children and many nieces and nephews.

BERNARD E. PALUMBO


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Retiring from the US Army after 22 years as an Infantry Officer,

Gilbert Pearsall served two assignments at Fort Drum, before

retiring. He served overseas on assignments and deployments

to Germany, Somalia and Haiti. His awards and decorations

include the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Army

Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint

Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendations,

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Superior

Unit Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian

Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, United National

Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge,

and Ranger Tab. Following his Army career, Gil worked as

the Director of Human Resources for Johnson NewspaperCorporation in Watertown, New York.

GILBERT PEARSALL


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Ha Fme

Dr. Eugene Renzi graduated from Watertown High School and Cornell

University, where he was ROTC commissioned as a 2nd LT. He deferred

to finish Medical School and graduated Cornell Medical College in

1957, before doing an internship at Albany Medical and a residency at

Washington University’s Barnes Hospital. As a Captain in the US Army,

he was then assigned to Wurzburg, Germany 10th Field Hospital as the

Chief of Staff. Upon completion, he returned to Watertown, where he

practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology He also practiced at Wilcox Clinic

on Fort Drum. He was the Chief of Staff of both Mercy Hospital and

Samaritan Medical Center. Outside of his career, Dr. Renzi is extremely

active in his community, serving as the 1980 President of the Medical

Society, and on the President’s Board of Trustees for Jefferson Community

College for more than a decade. He also served as Chairman of the IHC

Building Athletic Complex, and is a member of the American Legion,

Elks, and the Italian American Club.

DR. EU GENE R ENZI


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Ha Fme

Jack Rucynski served as the 7th Command Sergeant Major of the

United States Army Reserve and retired with over 35 years military

experience. In 1962, he enlisted in the United States Army Reseves

and returned to active duty in the Active Guard Reserve Program. He

served in the Republic of Vietnam as a Corporal with the Ninth Marine

Corps Expeditionary Brigade, Third Marine Division. In between

active duty assignments, he served with the New York State Police as

a Trooper and Investigator with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

He received numerous commendations, including three Superintendent

Commendations for undercover drug assignments in the early 1970s.

His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal,

Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation

Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, among

many others. He is a life member of the American Legion, VFW, DAV

and many other organizations.

JACK RUCYNSKI


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Ha Fme

William Volcko entered the service on January 11, 1943 in the

204th Engineering Construction Battalion. He retired 40 years

later after having served in both the Army and Army National

Guard. He is an active member of the Sandy Pond Sportsman’s

Association, Mexico VFW and Pulaski WFW.

He regularly plays a key role in the Sandy Pond Sportsman’s

Association’s Memorial Day Ceremony, and still wears the

uniform from the day he retired.

WILLIAM VOLCKO


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“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, whobravely bears his country’s cause.”

– Abraham Lincoln


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New York State Senate

Veterans Hall of Fame

2015

senate patty ritchie 2015 veterans hall of fame nominees

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