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Salute to
VEtErANs
Stories of heroism and sacrifice
MEDAL OF HONOR:
19 GLOW-region
service members
among recipients
By BRIAN QUINN
bquinn@batavianews.com
I
t was an overwhelming feeling for
David Bellavia when President
Donald Trump presented him the
Congressional Medal of Honor at
the White House.
The top brass and most decorated
members of the U.S. military, con-
gressmen and Bellavia’s friends were
there, along with his family — his
wife, Deanna; daughter, Vivienne;
and two sons, Evan and Aiden.
“I just wanted to say how over-
whelming this entire experience has
been. I served with some of the great-
est men I have ever met in my life,”
Bellavia told reporters outside the
White House that day, June 25, 2019.
“We served our country, we served
and upheld the finest traditions
and sometimes, exceeded the finest
traditions of any generation of war,”
he said. “I’m proud to be an Iraq War
veteran, I’m proud to stand with the
men and women who served in Iraq.
This entire thing ... I can’t even com-
prehend it. I want to thank my Army
for giving me purpose and direction
and it is an absolute honor to serve in
the U.S. military and those fine men
you saw on the stage today.”
Bellavia, a 1994 Lyndonville High
School graduate, served during the
War on Terrorism and is one of 19
service members with connections
to the four-county GLOW region
to have received the Congressional
Medal of Honor. Some of the recipi-
ents were born here, others buried
here, and for others the Medal of
Honor they received was accredited
to either Genesee, Livingston, Or-
leans or Wyoming counties.
Highest award for valor
The Medal of Honor is the United
States’ highest award for military
valor in action, according to the
Congressional Medal Honor Society
David Bellavia hands his Congressional Medal of Honor to Batavia resident and World War II Navy veteran Hank Valerych
after a special homecoming ceremony in 2019 at Batavia’s City Hall after Bellavia was presented the medal during a
White House ceremony. Bellavia is among about 20 GLOW-region veterans to have received the Medal of Honor.
website. The medal is authorized for
any military service member who
“distinguishes himself conspicu-
ously by gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of his life above and beyond
the call of duty.”
Recipients may earn the medal:
n while engaged in an action
against an enemy of the United
States;
n while engaged in military opera-
tions involving conflict with an op-
posing foreign force; or
n while serving with friendly
foreign forces engaged in an armed
conflict against an opposing armed
force in which the United States is
not a belligerent party.
Bellavia was recognized for
actions taken during Operation
Phantom Fury on Nov. 10, 2004, in
Fallujah, Iraq. Bellavia was credited
with saving a squad of soldiers,
putting his own life at risk to allow
his fellow soldiers to break contact
and reorganize when trapped by
overwhelming insurgent fire. He
then voluntarily entered and cleared
an insurgent strongpoint, taking
out four insurgents and seriously
wounding another.
All recommendations require
thorough reports on the act itself, the
battlefield and its setting; at least two
sworn eyewitness statements; and
any other compelling evidence that
can be gathered, according to the
society’s website. Recommendation
packets must be approved all the way
up the military command structure,
MARK GUTMAN/DAILY NEWSFILE PHOTOGRAPH
ending with the United States presi-
dent as the commander-in-chief.
Pyramid of Valor
Congressional Medal of Honor So-
ciety Archivist and Historical Collec-
tions Manager Laura Jowdy said the
requirements someone must meet
to receive the medal have changed
significantly since the Civil War. The
Medal of Honor is open to all the ser-
vices. The Guardians (Space Force)
are even eligible for it, she said.
“During the Civil War, the Medal
of Honor was the only medal the
military had at all,” she said. “Around
World War I, they added the Dis-
tinguished Service Cross, the Navy
Cross.”
Jowdy said since World War I, the
military has begun awarding other
citations.
“They created what’s sometimes
called the Pyramid of Valor in 1918.
The Pyramid of Valor really expand-
ed the medals that were available for
valorous service,” she said.
By federal statute, medal recipient
recommendations must be submit-
ted within three years of the valorous
act and the medal must be presented
within five years. Any submissions
outside of this timeline require an
Act of Congress to waive the time
limits.
Regarding an Act of Congress,
Jowdy said, “Congress will tell the
military service, ‘We want you to
re-evaluate. I wouldn’t say it’s a com-
mon thing to have happen, no.”
The archivist and historical col-
lections manager said that’s what
happened in Bellavia’s case.
“Congress told the military ser-
vices to re-evaluate the awards that
had gone out ... basically for the War
on Terrorism and see if any of those
should have gotten the Medal of
Honor. David Bellavia was part of
that (review),” she said.
The recommendation packets are
hundreds of pages long, Jowdy said.
They usually include maps, some-
times drone footage. It’s just making
sure information is captured in a
timely manner.
Civil War courage
Fourteen of the medal recipients
served during the Civil War. Some
of the recipients from the War Be-
tween the States — Chester Bennett
Bowen, Charles Arthur Goheen,
Daniel Armer Kelly, Andrew Kuber,
Andrew Jackson Lorish and Jerry C.
Wall — received the Medal of Honor
for capturing an enemy flag. In Lor-
ish’s case, the Congressional Medal
of Honor Society’s website stated,
while among the enemy, Lorish
grabbed the flag from a color bearer
who then called for help.
“When the bearer’s comrades
were readying their rifles, he (Lorish)
dashed directly at them, securing
their disarming. As he rode away, the
See MEDAL A7
2 • November 2021 Salute To Veterans 2021

Operation Green Light connects veterans, communities

SHINE A LIGHT ON SERVICE: Program designed to help ease transition from active duty to civilian life
By BRENDAN MCDONOUGH
bmcdonough@livingstonnews.com
GENESEO – With the help
of a new program called, “Op-
eration Green Light,” veterans
returning from active military
service will be able to get help
readjusting to civilian life
while also benefitting local
communities.
“Operation Green Light is
way that counties can remove
barriers and show their sup-
port to active military people
that are leaving military ser-
vice,” said Jason Skinner, di-
rector of Livingston County
Veterans Service.
The program is a collabora-
tion between the New York
State Association of Counties,
New York State County Execu-
tives Associations, the New
York State County Veteran
Service Officers’ Association,
and the 62 counties of New
York State. Their mission is
to show support for veterans
of all military conflicts, with a
special emphasis on the veter-
ans of Iraq and Afghanistan, as
well as raise awareness about
the challenges faced by many
veterans and the resources
that are available at the coun-
ty, state, and federal level to
assist veterans and their fami-
lies.
The way Operation Green
Light works is through the
help of a sponsor the veterans
will be paired up to help not
only learn about the commu-
nity they are returning to but
also learn new ways to adjust
to non-military life.
“If you were getting out
of the military, anywhere in
the world and you signed up
for,’Operation Green Light,’
you would assigned a sponsor
and that sponsor would live
LIVINGSTON COUNTY PHOTOGRAPH
Jason Skinner is director of
Livingston County Veterans
Services.
here locally and would help
you if you had questions and
help you acclimate to your
new surroundings and pre-
pare for your transition here,”
said Skinner, who is also
president of the state County
Veterans Service Officers’ As-
sociation.
Skinner said everyone can
make a difference in the lives
of a newly-discharged service
members.
“First and foremost, leaving
military service is the end of
one career and the beginning
of the next one,” he said.
That transition, Skinner
U.S. ARMY PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA KING
Brig. Gen. (ret.) Michael R.
Eastman is executive director of
The ETS Sponsorship Program.
said, is something that can be
difficult for some military per-
sonnel.
“You are leaving a support-
ive community like, for exam-
ple, Fort Drum, and let’s say
for instance you walk into the
PX and you are surrounded by
other military people, because
you are on post and then you
walk into Walmart and you
are surrounded by a differ-
ent community and you feel
out of place because you do
not know anyone. Part of the
sponsorship program is get-
ting people connected,” said
Skinner.
That connection proves to
be too difficult for some, Skin-
ner said, noting that more
than 45,000 veterans and
active-duty service members
have died by suicide over a six-
year period from 2013 to 2019.
According to the Depart-
ment of Defense’s reporting,
suicide rates for active-duty
service members and veterans
continue to rise, and spiked to
a five-year high in 2018.
In 2017, 136 veterans in
New York died by suicide —
one nearly every other day
— and veterans die by suicide
in New York at a much higher
rate than the total state popu-
lation. Additionally, between
2005 and 2017, the suicide rate
more than doubled for New
York veterans ages 18 to 34.
“Going into any situation
and not knowing what awaits
is a fairly anxious situation
for anyone. We can help our
military veterans as they are
leaving service to transition
better and be more successful
in their transition by having a
sponsor available to them to
help ease that,” said Skinner.
Anyone of any age or back-
ground can be a sponsor and
Skinner says all that is needed
is a desire to help others.
“It could be just a well
meaning individual out there
that wants to help a family
connect with other commu-
nity people, like churches,
schools and things of that na-
ture,” said Skinner.
Getting connected to those
resources was something that
was even difficult for retired
Brig. Gen. Mike Eastman, who
recently retired after 30 years
of military service. On Oct.1,
Eastman was named executive
director of The Sponsorship
Program, a Washington, D.C.
based non-profit corporation
dedicated to assisting active
duty service members of all
branches in their transition
from military to civilian life.
“Leaving as a general you
go from sort of a lot responsi-
bility and command over, in
my case, 12,000-plus people
and geography about the size
of Tennessee to really life as a
private citizen, so it freeing in
a sense but it is also jarring,
because you are now sort of
redesigning who you are and
what you are all about,” said
Eastman, who has shown in-
terest in “Operation Green
Light” as he leads the national
expansion of The ETS Spon-
sorship Program .
Getting veterans re-estab-
lished in local communities is
something that Eastman said
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 Salute To Veterans 2021 November 2021 • 3

Still a bugler after all these years Light

From A2

VOLUNTEERISM: Batavia native has been serving veterans and their families since his teens
By BRIAN QUINN
bquinn@batavianews.com
Tom Cecere has definitely
put in the mileage, traveling
almost 37,000 miles in the last
13 years alone to play taps at
services for area veterans.
The Navy veteran and bu-
gler started playing taps at
age 14. The Batavia native has
been playing taps for 60 years.
Cecere, 74, of Bergen, said
he played taps on Sept. 9, 2020,
for the first ceremony at the
Western New York National
Cemetery in Pembroke, for the
Consecration of the Soil. He
also played there on Dec. 18,
2020, for the first funerals at
the newly dedicated cemetery.
There were three funerals that
day.
“Over the years, I have
played taps for 1,384 funerals
and memorial services, cover-
ing 36,819.3 miles,” he said.
The bugler has been a member
of the Joint Veterans Honor
Guard of Genesee County for
the last 12 years.
At the National Cemetery,
the Genesee, Orleans, Wyo-
ming and Erie County honor
guards each take a day to be
there when needed for veter-
ans’ funerals.
“There’s funerals five days
a week. We each have a day.
Genesee County’s is the first
Monday of every month,” he
said. “The four counties split
every Friday, so every fourth
Friday, we’re here. The only
other time I’m here is if a fam-
ily member requests me or a
friend, or something like that.”
Cecere said when the Honor
Guard has to be at the cem-
etery, it’s usually there for the
whole day.
“It could be one funeral. It
could be five,” he said.
As far as funerals, the vol-
unteers do whatever they’re
asked to do, Cecere said.
“We’re all volunteers and
we do it because we love it and
we have a deep appreciation
for what the veterans did for
our country,” he said. “There’s
no set time period that we’re
busy or we’re not busy. It’s the
luck of the draw. We’re very,
very busy on Memorial Day
and Veterans Day. I do 13 me-
morial services on Memorial
Day and probably nine on Vet-
erans Day. It keeps us pretty
of things. I got to experience
things outside of war, too. A
veteran’s life, no matter what
he’s called to do, is impor-
tant,” he said. “When they
pass away, I’m just honored
to be part of their ceremony,
because they deserve it. They
deserve somebody being here
for them. Sometimes, there’s a
big family. Sometimes, there’s
nobody. We’re here, no mat-
ter what. We’re all here for the
same reason, because we love
our country and we appreci-
ate what they’ve done for our
country and that’s the bottom
line.”
Cecere said he and other
members of Genesee County
Joint Veterans Honor Guard
have traveled all over the
place.
“There’s always the dedica-
tion of a new stone or the Viet-
nam Monument in Bethany
or the one at the Jerome Cen-
ter (in Batavia), where we’re
called to do that stuff. We go
to the veterans’ hospitals and
do things for the deceased em-
ployees and veterans,” he said.
“We do a lot of stuff. We’re ser-
vants of the county.”
Cecere said he’s also a
member of Bugles Across
America, but is so busy with
the Joint Veterans Honor
Guard and the National Cem-
etery that he doesn’t do much
with Bugles Across America.
“When I do, we’re asked to
cover a hundred-mile radius.
We take assignments,” he said.
“We’re a group of people that
believes a veteran deserves a
live bugler versus a battery-
operated one. That organiza-
tion is throughout the whole
United States. It’s quite an
honor being part of that.”
MORE ABOUT TOM CECERE:
n Enlisted in the Navy and
was on active duty from Oct.
18, 1966, through Oct. 1, 1970.
n Was a recruit training of-
ficer chief/company honor
man in boot camp, training re-
cruits, for about six months, in
most aspects of boot camp. He
said his training recruits were
always the top two companies
in their graduating classes.
n Served on the USS Blanco
County LST 344, USS Princ-
eton LPH 5 (a helicopter ship
and former aircraft carrier)
and USS Ernest G. Small DDR
Tom Cecere of Batavia is shown playing taps at the Western New York National Cemetery in
Pembroke. He estimates that he has played taps for 1,384 funerals and memorial services in
the past few years. When veterans pass away, Cecere says, “I’m just honored to be part of their
ceremony, because they deserve it. ... We’re all here for the same reason, because we love our
country and we appreciate what they’ve done for our country and that’s the bottom line.”
Harold Bradley Nadeau, who
he said was the first Genesee
County veteran killed in Viet-
nam. Nadeau. An Army pri-
vate, was killed May 17, 1966,
at age 19 in the Quang Tin
province in South Vietnam.
not only helps the veterans
but also the local towns.
“It gives people from
the individual level to the
state level, opportunities to
engage with our veterans,
from something as simple
as showing your appre-
ciation for military service
by hanging a green light
somewhere, all the way up
to what legislative changes
can we make that help fa-
cilitate the transition of
veterans into, let’s say, civil
service careers,” said East-
man.
One of the major com-
ponents of the Operation
Green Light initiative is to
remove barriers to employ-
ment, Skinner said.
For example, Skinner
noted changes to civil ser-
vice law that would help ex-
itng service members more
quickly pursue job oppor-
tunities.
“The military instills
great qualities that any em-
ployer would benefit from,”
he said.
Showing support
NYSAC is encouraging
homeowners, businesses
and governments to light
up their homes, buildings
and landmarks green this
week in support of Ameri-
ca’s veterans. By shining a
green light, participants let
veterans know that they are
seen, appreciated, and sup-
ported.
“Operation Green Light
is an opportunity to sup-
port our veterans and raise
awareness about the chal-
lenges they face and say
that if you’re a vet and you
are struggling, please reach
out for assistance,” NYSAC
President Martha Sauer-
MARK GUTMAN/DAILY NEWS brey said in a statement.
Anyone wishing to know
more about,”Operation
Green Light,” can contact
Skinner at (585) 243-7960
or (585) 335-1749.
nerals; memorial services and
dedications, including being
the official for the Vietnam
Traveling Wall during all of
its visits to Genesee County, Real Estate Services
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“I got to experience a lot
cort for the USS New Jersey.
n Started playing taps at
age 14, played in ceremony for
gler until he entered the Navy.
n From 1971 to 2008, he
played taps for numerous fu-
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4 • November 2021
Wyoming County names Veteran Services Director Bugler
By KORI SCIANDRA
ksciandra@batavianews.com
New to Wyoming County,
Sgt. Anthony Solina recently
moved to East Arcade from
Blasdell, Erie County.
Seeking a change from life
in the city, Solina headed out
to the country with his wife,
Katie, and their daughter,
Alessandra, soon to be 3. The
couple continues to grow their
family with the addition of
their son, Angelo, soon to be
1, and Katie is due in May with
their newest addition.
Solina was named as the
new Wyoming County Vet-
eran Services director in Sep-
tember. In that role, he over-
sees services offered to county
veterans.
He served in the U.S. Army
as a cavalry scout from 2005
to 2009, which included a
15-month tour in Iraq.
Solina initially returned
home and attended college at
Erie Community College with
the goal of becoming an ac-
countant.
“After the madness that is
being in the Army and being
deployed, sitting around and
crunching numbers did not
appeal to me anymore,” said
Solina.
He soon changed direction
and started studying to be-
come a machinist.
“That wasn’t my forte. I
found that out quickly as
well,” joked Solina.
Later earning his associate
degree from ECC, he went on
to join the Erie County Police
Nov. 11 is a day to honor all veterans
Metro Creative
The month of November is a
special time for the nation’s vet-
erans.
While Memorial Day honors
fallen soldiers and service peo-
ple, Veteran’s Day, which takes
place each November, is an op-
portunity to commemorate the
efforts of all who have been in
the armed forces, with a special
emphasis on living veterans.
While people are encouraged to
thank veterans throughout the
year, Veteran’s Day is a particu-
larly poignant time to show your
appreciation for the men and
women of the military.
Veteran’s Day takes place
on November 11 and marks an
important moment in history.
On November 11, 1918, World
War I, known at the time as “The
Great War,” unofficially ended
when an armistice, or tempo-
rary cessation of hostilities, took
place between Germany and
the Allied nations on the elev-
enth hour of the eleventh day
of the eleventh month. World
War I ended on paper when the
Treaty of Versailles was signed
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Salute To Veterans 2021
Serving those who served
How to contact veterans
services agencies in the four-
county GLOW region:
n Genesee County: Gen-
esee County Building No. 2,
3837 West Main Street Rd.,
Batavia. Phone: (585) 815-
7905. Fax: (585) 345-3085.
Email: veterans@co.genesee.
ny.us
n Livingston County: 7
Murray Hill, Mount Morris.
Phone: (585) 243-7960 or
Anthony Solina of East Arcade
or local government.
is the new Wyoming County
Those benefits include
Veteran Services director. health care benefits, includ-
ing domiciliary care; Gulf War;
Agent Orange; and ionizing
Academy. Upon graduating radiation; home care; and
from the Academy, the Vet- nursing; benefit programs
erans Affairs determined So- for veterans, including burial
lina had a couple of long-term benefits, disability compen-
health problems that prevent- sation, home loan guaranties,
ed him from pursuing a career life insurance, and pension;
in law enforcement. as well as benefits for survi-
“I’m doing much better vors including death pension,
now. I feel the best that I have dependency and indemnity
in years,” said Solina who is compensation, and depen-
settling into his new position dent education.
comfortably. “Our goal is to be the best
“It’s going very well. The service that we can be to the
assistant here, Robin Kruppa, veteran community of this
she’s been a great help with county. Our main objective
me being out in the commu- is we are accredited through
nity meeting the veterans of the American Legion for filing
Wyoming County. As well as claims with disability, com-
learning the ropes.” pensation, pension, helping
Wyoming County Veteran them (veterans and/or their
Services assists veterans and families) navigate the process
their dependents in obtaining of burial benefits,” said Solina.
benefits from the Veterans Ad- Veteran Services is in place
ministration, a federal agency, to help veterans better under-
MARK GUTMAN/DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTOGRAPH
Conlan McLaughlin of Avon checks out the Livingston County
Veterans Monument in Mount Morris on Veterans Day 2020.
on June 28, 1919. In November revised so it would be more in-
1919, President Woodrow Wil- clusive of all veterans.
son proclaimed November 11 On June 1, 1954, President
as the first commemoration of Dwight D. Eisenhower signed
Armistice Day, according to the legislation to strike the word
U.S. Department of Veterans Af- “Armistice” from the holiday’s
fairs. name in favor of “Veterans.”
Armistice Day became a fed-
eral holiday in the United States
in 1938. However, after subse-
quent wars, including World
War II and the Korean War,
veterans’ service organizations
lobbied for Armistice Day to be
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As we enjoy our holidays and
who fought for the freedoms
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Last Day To Order Thanksgiving Cut-outs, Pies,
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Last Day To Order Christmas Cut-outs Is December 10
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across the country and are
given to veterans for their
wartime service.
From A3 TAPS
ter in Batavia, Batavia Peace
The bugle call taps was
officially recognized by the
(585) 335-1749. Fax: (585) Garden, War Monument in
U.S. Army in 1874 and be-
243-7961. Email: jskinner@ Stafford, at the Buffalo and
came a standard part of mili-
co.livingston.ny.us. Erie County Naval & Mili-
tary funerals in 1891. Cecere
n Orleans County: 13996 tary Park in Buffalo; numer-
noted that, while there are
Route 31 West, Albion. ous times for veterans at the
no official lyrics for taps, the
Phone: (585) 589-3219. Batavia VA Medical Center
most popular lyrics are:
Fax: (585) 589-2833. Email: and New York State Veterans
nancy.traxler@orleanscoun- Home; countless 9/11 cer-
emonies and at Attica Cor- Day is done, gone the sun,
tyny.gov. From the hills, from the
n Wyoming County: 5362 rectional in honor of those
who were killed in the Attica lake, from the skies.
Mungers Mill Rd., Silver
Prison Riots. All is well, safely rest, God
Springs. Phone: (585) 786-
n The Joint Veterans Hon- is nigh.
8860. Fax: 585-786-6060.
or Guard of Genesee County
contacted him in 2009 and Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
asked him to join and be- may the soldier
stand the services their en-
come its taps and National or sailor, God keep. On the
titled to through the VA.
Anthem bugler. land or in the deep, Safe in
Both Solina and Kruppa,
Wyoming County Veteran n Joined Bugles Across sleep.
Services assistant director, are America in 2013. This is a
invested in the program and group of live buglers from all Love, good night, must
committed to helping provide over the United States who thou go,
the best possible future for provide live taps to families when the day and the night
area veterans. Kruppa is an who request their services. need thee so?
Army veteran. Members are asked to cover All is well. Speedeth all To
As veterans themselves, So- a 100-mile radius. Those who their rest.
lina and Kruppa strongly be- live in the area the service is
lieve in helping other veterans. in receive assignments via Fades the light;
“We are passionate about email from the organiza- And afar Goeth day,
making sure other veterans tion’s national headquarters. And the stars Shineth
get what they earned because Members may accept or de- bright,
of their service,” said Solina. cline an assignment. Fare thee well;
“For all veterans within the n Was honored in 2014 as Day has gone, night is on.
county, I definitely encour- one of two buglers inducted
age them to reach out to us into The Buglers Hall of Thanks and praise, for our
if they’re having issues with Fame in Connecticut. days,
anything with the VA or if they n Awarded Quilt of Valor ‘Neath the sun, Neath the
would like to file a claim,” So- from the Quilts of America stars, ‘Neath the sky,
lina said. “I also encourage Foundation. The quilts are As we go, this we know,
them to join one of the orga- handmade by ladies from God is nigh.
nizations (VFW, American
Legion) because they are how
we’re able to get accredited –
to benefit them.”
Since then, November 11 has
been known as “Veterans Day”
and has honored veterans of all
wars.
Veterans Day was moved to
the fourth Monday in October
for roughly seven years under
MARK GUTMAN/DAILY NEWS
the Uniform Monday Holiday
Tom Cecere of Bergen is seen playing taps at the Western New
Act, which sought to ensure
three-day weekends for federal York National Cemetery in Pembroke. He is a member of the
employees by celebrating cer- Joint Veterans Honor Guard of Genesee County, which assists
tain national holidays on Mon- with funeral at the cemetery.
days. But since November 11
bore such significance, many
states disapproved and contin- Follow us online
ued to observe the holiday on
thedailynewsonline.com | Facebook.com/BataviaDailyNews
November 11. In 1975, President
Gerald Ford signed legislation to TheLCN.com | Facebook.com/LivingstonCountyNews
return the observation of Vet-
erans Day to Nov.11 beginning
in 1978. Should the day fall on a
Saluting
Our
Saturday or Sunday, the federal on
Veteran s
government observes the holi-
day on the previous Friday or
following Monday, respectively,
according to History.com.
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 Salute To Veterans 2021 November 2021 • 5

Rory E. Benkleman Ronald P. Konieczny Fred V. Pulvino Josephine Pulvino Ferge Kenneth E. Stroh
(E4) Sergeant - Air Force Spec 4 Medic Seaman 2 PFC Nurse T-5
NY Air National Guard Army Navy Army Army
1975 - 1981 1969-1971 1945 - 1946 WW II 1945-1946
Hometown - North Java, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Alexander, NY

Donald F. Klein
Quartermaster 3rd Class
Navy
1945-1946
Hometown - Batavia, NY
Michael Minuto Joe DiLaura Sr. Joe DiLaura Jr. Cody Cesarano E. Phillip Zerillo
Petty Officer 2nd Class Petty Officer 1st Class Petty Officer 3rd Class Private 1st Class 1st Sgt. - NY National Guard
Navy Navy Navy Army 1994 - 2015
Sergeant - Marines
1962 - 1966 1940 - 1959 1965 - 1969 2018 - Present 1984 - 1991
Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Mumford, NY Hometown - LeRoy, NY

Lanny Minuto Michael Cesarano Robert D. Cesarano Frank Minuto Richard T. Minuto
Airman E-4 Specialist E-4 Corporal Private 1st Class Seaman 1st Class/Staff Sgt.
Air Force Army Marines Army Navy/Army National Guard
1967 - 1971 1986 - 1989 1983 - 1987 WWII 1962 - 1966 / 1981-1988
Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY

Angelo A. DiLaura David J. Cutitta Gordon R. Amidon Zachary Boneberg Joe DiLaura Sr. Patsy Cesarano
Private First Class 2nd Class Petty Officer PFC Private 1st Class Petty Officer 1st Class Corporal
Army Navy Marine Corps Army National Guard Navy Army
1950 - 1952 1960 - 1964 1944 - 1946 2018 - Present 1940 - 1959 1953 - 1955
Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - LeRoy, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY

David Minuto Elwyn M. Barrett

Eugene Richley Ronald Richley Andrew Hastee
Petty Officer 3rd Class Sergeant
Navy Navy Petty Officer
Navy Army
1978 - 1998 1981 - 2001 Navy
1957 - 1961 1935 - 1937 • 1944 - 1946
Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY 1962 - 1968
Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Attica, NY
6 • November 2021 Salute To Veterans 2021

Harley F. Richley Robert G. Richley Ashley N. Richley Anthony Fusco Joe Ficarella
PFC st
Aviation Machinist Mate 1 Class Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Staff Sergeant
Roger Muehlig Lance Corp
Coast Guard
Army Navy Navy Army Marine Corps
1965 - 1969
1951-1953 1983-2004 2006-2014 2000 - 2020 1965 - 1968
Hometown - LeRoy, NY
Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Benningston, NY Hometown - Attica, NY Hometown - Avon, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY

James Cackett Joseph Vanelli Robert Vanelli Richard Smith Joseph Vanelli
Sergeant L/C Corporal CPL PFC COC. - 1 Inf. PFC
Marine Corps Marines Army 196 Lt Int BD Army
1960 - 1968 Desert Storm 1990 WWII 1966 WWII
Hometown - Utica, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - LeRoy, NY Hometown - Spencerport, NY Hometown - LeRoy, NY

Timothy S. Marsceill Walter D. Buck Daniel F. Henderson Edward Longhany Murl Mancuso
PVT WWI Radioman Walter M. Buck Special Forces MM3 Seaman 1st Class
Army Navy Navy Army Navy Navy
1987 - 1989 1946-1949 1970-1974 2014-Present 1944 - 1946 1944 - 1946
Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Alexander, NY Hometown - LeRoy, NY Hometown - LeRoy, NY

John R. Wertman Eugene Moscicki Jim Calkins William M. Brown Thomas Feeley
S1 PFC Sergeant Leonard Vanelli Corporal Corporal
Navy Marine Corps Army “Big Red One” Army Air Force Marines
WWII 1948 - 1950 1965 - 1970 WWII 1951 - 1954 1990 - 1993
Hometown - Medina, NY Hometown - Batavia, NY Hometown - Wyoming, NY Hometown - LeRoy, NY Hometown - LeRoy, NY Hometown - LeRoy, NY

Gratitude, Respect To our men and women in uniform,

both past and present, thank you for
your service to this country. We salute
your patriotism, courage, hard work,

& Best Wishes to loyalty and dedication, and we appreciate

all of the sacrifices you have made to
protect the freedoms we cherish.

America’s Veterans On behalf of our team and our fellow Americans, we

wish each of you a happy, healthy and safe Veterans Day.

Medal
From A1
Confederates picked up their
guns, firing at the captor of
their flag,” the website read.
On July 18, 1861, at Black-
burn’s Ford, Va., Pvt. Charles
Franklin Rand, with Company
K, 12th New York Cavalry, re-
mained in action when a part
of his regiment broke in disor-
der, joined another company
and fought with it through the
remainder of the engagement.
He was presented his Medal of
Honor on Oct. 23, 1897.
Genesee County Histo-
rian Michael Eula learned of
Rand’s heroics when he did
research for a book he wrote
called, “The National Is Local:
Genesee County, New York
1802 to the Present.” One
of the chapters will address
Charles Rand, Eula said.
“He was born in Batavia
and, from what I’ve read, he
was the first volunteer for
the Union Army in the entire
country,” Eula said of Rand.
“He heard of a telegram that
came into, I think it was, the
Eagle Hotel in Batavia. It was
from President (Abraham)
Lincoln ...”
Eula said when he sent the
telegram, Lincoln was call-
ing for volunteers to join the
Union forces. About 10 min-
utes after hearing about the
telegram, Rand joined, said
the county historian.
“He fought in, from what I
remember, every major battle
until he was pretty seriously
wounded in 1862 ...” Eula
said. ”After the war, he went
off to Georgetown University
and studied medicine. He
practiced medicine in Wash-
ington, D.C. He came back to
Batavia and he started a wheel
factory, of all things.”
Of the area’s Medal of Hon-
or recipients in general, Eula
said, “These people have per-
formed incredible feats under
terrible combat situations.
They do merit attention.”
About a month after he re-
ceived the Medal of Honor at
the White House, Bellavia was
honored by City of Batavia
officials during a ceremony in
which he received the key to
the city, proclamations in his
honor and a plaque.
Bellavia encouraged the
crowd that day, July 23, 2019,
to treat every veteran in West-
ern New York as if he or she
was a recipient of the Medal
of Honor. “Batavia loves
their veterans. Batavia loves
this country and I very much
appreciate your kindness
and support. Thank you very
much,” he said.
Bellavia would later be
courted as a congressional
candidate (he chose not to
run), through out the first
pitch before a Major League
Baseball playoff game, and
appear on NBC’s“The To-
night Show Starring Jimmy
Fallon” with two other Medal
of Honor recipients – Mas-
ter Sgt. Matthew Williams,
who served with the Army
in Afghanistan, and Marine
Corps. Cpl. Hershel “Woody”
Williams, who served during
World War II..
“Tonight, in celebration of
Veterans Day, and in honor
of the brave men and women
who serve our country in the
Armed Forces, we are proud to
be joined by three recipients
of the Medal of Honor, the
highest military decoration
awarded for acts of valor in
combat,” Fallon said during
the show. “It is given only to
the bravest of the brave.”
The bravest of the brave
The following information
on Medal of Honor recipients
is from the Medal Honor So-
ciety website. The “citation”
line describes what the recipi-
ent did that led to him receiv-
ing the medal.
DAVID G. BELLAVIA
Conflict/Era: War on Terrorism
(Iraq)
Unit/Command: 3rd Platoon,
Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion,
2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Medal of Honor action date/
place: Nov. 10, 2004; Fallujah, Iraq
Born: Nov. 10, 1975, Buffalo.
Accredited to: Lyndonville, N.Y.
Presentation date and details:
June 25, 2019, at the White House
by President Donald Trump
Citation: Bellavia distinguished
himself by acts of gallantry and
intrepidity above and beyond the
call of duty on Nov. 10, 2004,
while serving as a squad leader in
support of Operation Phantom Fury
in Fallujah, Iraq. While clearing a
house, a squad from Bellavia’s pla-
toon became trapped within a room
by intense enemy fire coming from
a fortified position under the stairs
leading to the second floor. Rec-
ognizing the immediate severity of
the situation, and with disregard for
his own safety, Bellavia retrieved
an automatic weapon and entered
the doorway of the house to engage
the insurgents. With enemy rounds
impacting around him, Bellavia fired
at the enemy position at a cyclic
rate, providing covering fire that
allowed the squad to break contact
and exit the house. A Bradley Fight-
ing Vehicle was brought forward
to suppress the enemy; however,
due to high walls surrounding the
house, it could not fire directly at
the enemy position. Bellavia then
re-entered the house and again
came under intense enemy fire. He
observed an enemy insurgent pre-
paring to launch a rocket-propelled
grenade at his platoon. Recogniz-
ing the grave danger the grenade
posed to his fellow soldiers, Bel-
lavia assaulted the enemy position,
killing one insurgent and wounding
another who ran to a different part
of the house. Bellavia, realizing he
had an uncleared, darkened room
to his back, moved to clear it. As he
entered, an insurgent came down
the stairs firing at him. Simultane-
ously, the previously wounded
insurgent reemerged and engaged
Bellavia. Bellavia, entering further
into the darkened room, returned
fire and eliminated both insurgents.
Bellavia then received enemy fire
from another insurgent emerging
from a closet in the darkened
room. Exchanging gunfire, Bellavia
pursued the enemy up the stairs
and eliminated him. On the second
floor, Bellavia moved to a door that
opened to the roof. A fifth insurgent
leapt from the third floor roof onto
the second floor roof. Bellavia
engaged the insurgent through a
window, wounding him in the back
and legs, and caused him to fall off
the roof. Acting on instinct to save
members of his platoon from an
imminent threat, Bellavia cleared
an entire enemy-filled house,
destroyed four insurgents, and
badly wounded a fifth. Bellavia’s
bravery, complete disregard for
his own safety, and unselfish and
courageous actions are in keeping
with the finest traditions of military
service and reflect great credit upon
himself and the United States.
CHESTER BENNETT BOWEN
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: Company I,
19th New York Cavalry (1st New
York Dragoons)
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Corporal (Highest rank:
Sergeant)
Medal of Honor action date/
place: Sept. 19, 1864; Winchester,
Va.
Presentation date and details:
Sept. 27, 1864
Citation: Capture of a flag.
Accredited to: Nunda
Born: April 1, 1842, Nunda
Died: March 16, 1905, Weather-
ford, Texas
Salute To Veterans 2021
David Bellavia, second from right, is shown with his Congressional Medal of Honor and his family after the medal was presented by
President Donald Trump on June 25, 2019, in a White House ceremony.
JOHN EDWARD BUTTS
Conflict/Era: World War II
Unit/Command: Company E,
60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Second lieutenant
Medal of Honor action date/
place: June 23, 1944; Normandy,
France
Awarded posthumously: Yes
Citation: Heroically led his
platoon against an enemy on June
14, 16 and 23, 1944. Although
painfully wounded on the 14th near
Orglandes and again on the 16th
while spearheading an attack to
establish a bridgehead across the
Douve River, he refused medical
aid and remained with his platoon.
A week later, near Flottemanville
Hague, he led an assault on a
tactically important and stubbornly
defended hill studded with tanks,
antitank guns, pillboxes, and
machine-gun emplacements and
protected by concentrated artillery
and mortar fire.
As the attack was launched,
Butts, at the head of his platoon,
was critically wounded by German
machine-gun fire. Although weak-
ened by his injuries, he rallied his
men and directed one squad to
make a flanking movement while
he alone made a frontal assault to
draw the hostile fire upon himself.
Once more he was struck, but con-
tinued to crawl ahead. Within 10
yards of his objective, he was killed
by direct fire. By his superb cour-
age, unflinching valor, and inspiring
actions, Butts enabled his platoon
to take a formidable strongpoint
and contributed greatly to the suc-
cess of his battalion’s mission.
Accredited to: Buffalo
Born: Aug. 8, 1922, Medina
Died: June 23, 1944, France
Location of Medal: Lee-Whedon
Memorial Library, Medina
JOHN JOICE CARTER
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: Company B,
33rd New York Infantry
Miliary service branch: Army
Rank: Second lieutenant (high-
est rank: Colonel
Medal of Honor action date/
place: Sept. 17, 1862; Antietam,
Md.
Presentation date and details:
Sept. 10, 1897
Citation: While in command of
a detached company, seeing his
regiment thrown into confusion
by a charge of the enemy, Carter,
without orders to do so, made a
countercharge upon the attacking
column and checked the assault.
He penetrated the enemy’s lines
at night and obtained valuable
information.
Bogan & Tuttle
Funeral Home
On this Veterans Day, let us remember the
service of our veterans, and let us renew our
national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations
to our veterans and their families who have
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Medina
226 Pearl St.
Tel: (585) 798-0896
John Edward Butts
Accredited to: Nunda
Born: June 16, 1842, Troy
Died: Jan. 3, 1917
Buried: Woodlawn Cemetery
(MH), Titusville, Pa.
JAMES EDWIN CROSS
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: Company K,
12th NY Infantry (Independence
Guard)
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Corporal (highest rank:
Sergeant Major)
Medal of Honor action date/
place: July 18, 1861; Blackburn’s
Ford, Va.
Presentation date and details:
April 5, 1898
Citation: With a companion,
Cross refused to retreat when the
part of the regiment to which he
was attached was driven back in
disorder. Instead, he remained up-
on the skirmish line for some time
thereafter, firing upon the enemy.
Accredited to: Batavia
Born: March 27, 1840, Darien
Died: Jan. 6, 1917, Albany
Buried: Albany Rural Cemetery
(MH) (30-62), Albany
CHARLES ARTHUR GOHEEN
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: Company G,
8th New York Cavalry
Military service branch: Army
Rank: First sergeant (highest
rank: First Lieutenant)
Medal of Honor action date/
place: March 2, 1865; Waynes-
boro, Va.
Presentation date and details:
March 26, 1865
Citation: Capture of flag.
Accredited to: Rochester
Born: Aug. 5, 1843, Groveland
Died: May 8, 1889. Mendon
Buried: Honeoye Falls Cemetery
(MH) (8-110), Honeoye Falls
CHARLES D. HARRIS
Conflict/Era: Indian campaigns
Unit/Command: Company D,
8th U.S. Cavalry
Military service branch: Army
– Dan Lipinski
Lyndonville
112 N Main St.
Tel: (585) 765-2230
November 2021 • 7
MARK GUTMAN/DAILY NEWSFILE PHOTO
John Joice Carter James Edwin Cross
Rank: Sergeant Citation: In the presence of the
Medal of Honor action date/ enemy during the advance on Tien-
place: Sept. 23, 1869; Red Creek, tsin, China, June 21, 1900, Kates
distinguished himself by meritori-
Ariz.
Presentation date and details: ous conduct.
Accredited to: New York
Nov. 23, 1869
Citation: Gallantry in action. Born: May 7, 1865, Shelby
Center
Accredited to: Rochester
Born: 1845, Albion Died: May 6, 1931, Flushing
Buried: Flushing Cemetery,
Died: Sept. 6, 1895, Albion
Flushing
Buried: Mount Albion Cemetery,
Location of medal: National
Albion
Museum of the U.S. Marine Corps,
THOMAS WILBUR KATES Quantico, Va.
Conflict/Era: China relief expe- DANIEL ARMER KELLY
dition (Boxer Rebellion)
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Military service branch: Marine Unit/Command: Company G,
Corps
8th New York Cavalry
Rank: Private (highest rank: Military service branch: Army
Sergeant) Rank: Sergeant (highest rank:
Medal of Honor action date/ Quartermaster Sergeant)
place: June 21, 1900; Tientsin, Medal of Honor action date/
China
Awarded posthumously: No See BRAVE A8
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8 • November 2021 Salute To Veterans 2021

The bravest of the brave

Brave
From A7

place: March 26, 1865; Waynes-

boro, Va.
Presentation date and details:
March 26, 1865
Citation: Capture of flag.
Accredited to: Groveland
Born: March 19, 1841, Grove-
land
Died: Jan. 18, 1912, Groveland
Buried: Maple Wood Cemetery,
Reading, Mich.
ANDREW KUDER
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: Company G,
8th New York Cavalry
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Second Lieutenant (high-
est rank: Captain)
Medal of Honor action date/
place: March 2, 1865; Waynes-
boro, Va.
Presentation date and details:
March 26, 1865
Citation: Capture of flag.
Accredited to: Rochester
Born: 1838, Groveland
Died: April 30, 1899, South
Livonia
Buried: Arnold Cemetery (MH),
Conesus
ANDREW JACKSON LORISH
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: 19th New York
Cavalry (1st New York Dragoons)
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Commissary Sergeant
(highest rank: Brevet First Lieuten-
ant)
Medal of Honor action date/
place: Sept. 19, 1864; Winchester,
Va.
Presentation date and details:
Sept. 27, 1864
Citation: Amid the enemy, he
grabbed the flag from a color bearer
who then called for help. When the
bearer’s comrades were readying
their rifles, he dashed directly at
them, securing their disarming. As
he rode away, the Confederates
picked up their guns, firing at the
captor of their flag.
Accredited to: Attica
Born: Nov. 8, 1832, Dansville
Died: Aug. 11, 1897, Warsaw
Buried: Forest Hill Cemetery
(MH) (F-6), Attica
CHARLES ALVIN ORR
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: Company G,
187th New York Infantry
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Private
Medal of Honor action date/
place: Oct. 27, 1864; Hatcher’s
Run, Va.
Awarded posthumously: No
Presentation date and details:
April 1, 1898
Citation: Orr and two others,
voluntarily and under fire, rescued
several wounded and helpless
soldiers.
Accredited to: Bennington
Born: June 28, 1848, Holland,
Erie County
Died: Oct. 28, 1923, Buffalo
Buried: Forest Lawn Cemetery
(PMH) (12-7), Buffalo
HENRY JEREMIAH PARKS
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: Company A,
9th New York Cavalry
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Private (highest rank:
Captain)
Medal of Honor action date/
place: Oct. 19, 1864; Cedar Creek,
Va.
Presentation date and details:
Oct. 26, 1864, presented by Presi-
dent Abraham Lincoln
Citation: While alone and in
advance of his unit and attempting
to cut off the retreat of a supply
wagon, he fought and sent to flight
a Confederate color bearer. After
capturing the color bearer and leav-
ing him in the rear, he returned to
the front and captured three more
wagons and drivers.
Andrew Kuder
Forrest Lee “Woody” Vosler
Captain)
Medal of Honor action date/
place: July 18, 1861; Blackburn’s
Ford, Va.
Presentation date and details:
Oct. 23, 1897
Citation: Remained in action
when a part of his regiment broke in
disorder, joined another company
and fought with it through the re-
mainder of the engagement.
Accredited to: Batavia
Born: 1839, Batavia
Died: Oct. 13, 1908
Buried: Arlington National Cem-
etery (PM) (1-125-B), Arlington, Va.
Location of medal: Holland Land
Office Museum, Batavia
MYRON H. RANNEY
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: Company G,
13th New York Infantry
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Private (highest rank:
Corporal)
Medal of Honor action date/
place: Aug. 30, 1862; Bull Run, Va.
Presentation date and details:
March 23, 1895
Citation: Picked up the colors
and carried them off the field after
the color bearer had been shot
down; was himself wounded.
Accredited to: Dansville
Born: 1846, Franklinville
Died: Sept. 26, 1910
Buried: I.O.O.F. Cemetery (178-
25), Olympia, Wash.
FORREST LEE “WOODY” VOSLER
Conflict/Era: World War II
Unit/Command: 358th Bom-
bardment Squadron, 3030 Bom-
bardment Group, 8th Air Force
Military service branch: Army
Air Corps
Rank: Technical Sergeant
Medal of Honor action date/
place: Dec. 20, 1943; over Bre-
men, Germany
Presentation date and details:
Aug. 30, 1944, the Oval Office of
the White House, presented by
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Citation: For conspicuous gal-
lantry in action against the enemy
above and beyond the call of duty
while serving as a radio operator-air
gunner on a heavy bombardment
aircraft in a mission over Bremen,
Germany, Dec. 20, 1943. After
bombing the target, the aircraft
in which Vosler was serving was
severely damaged by antiaircraft
fire, forced out of formation, and
immediately subjected to repeated
vicious attacks by enemy fighters.
Early in the engagement, a 20-mm
cannon shell exploded in the radio
compartment, painfully wounding
Vosler in the legs and thighs. At
about the same time, a direct hit on
Andrew Jackson Lorish
An honor guard from Daniel Goho American Legion Post 87 stand at crisp attention in Greenmount
Cemetery, Dansville, Veterans Day 2018 during the dedication of a new plaque for Jerry Wall, a Civil
War veteran who received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on the final day of the
Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. Wall died in Dansville and is buried in the cemetery.
Displaying remarkable tenacity and
courage, he kept firing his guns and
declined to take first-aid treatment.
The radio equipment had been ren-
dered inoperative during the battle.
When the pilot announced that
he would have to ditch, although
unable to see and working entirely
by touch, Vosler finally got the set
operating and sent out distress
signals despite several lapses into
unconsciousness. When the ship
ditched, Vosler managed to get out
on the wing by himself and hold the
wounded tail gunner from slipping
off until the other crewmembers
could help him into the dinghy. Vo-
sler’s actions on this occasion were
an inspiration to all serving with
him. The extraordinary courage,
coolness, and skill he displayed
in the face of great odds, when
handicapped by injuries that would
have incapacitated the average
crewmember, were outstanding.
Accredited to: Rochester
Born: July 29, 1923, Lyndonville
Died: Feb. 17, 1992, Titusville,
Fla.
Buried: Arlington National Cem-
etery (MH) (60-4924), Arlington, Va.
Location of medal: Gunter
Annex, Maxwell Air Force Base,
Maxwell AFB, Ala.; Mighty Eighth Air
Force Museum, Pooler, Ga.
JERRY C. WALL
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: Company B,
126th New York Infantry
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Private
Medal of Honor action date/
place: July 3, 1863; Gettysburg,
Pa.
Presentation date and details:
Dec. 1, 1864
Citation: Capture of flag.
Accredited to: Milo, Yates
County
Born: July 1, 1841, Geneva
THE VAC SHOP
PARTS, REPAIRS and SALES
Charles Alvin Orr
A new plaque was dedicated on Veterans Day 2018 in Dansville’s
Greenmount Cemetery in honor of Jerry Wall, a hero of Pickett’s
Charge during the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg.
Died: July 28, 1930, Dansville
Buried: Greenmount Cemetery
(PMH) Dansville
LEROY WILLIAMS
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: Company G,
8th New York Heavy Artillery Militia
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Sergeant (highest rank:
First Lieutenant)
Medal of Honor action date/
place: June 3, 1864; Cold Harbor,
Va.
Presentation date and details:
April 1, 1898
Citation: Voluntarily exposed
himself to the fire of the enemy’s
sharpshooters and located the
body of his colonel who had been
killed close to the enemy’s lines.
Under cover of darkness, with four
companions, he recovered the body
and brought it within the Union
lines, having approached within a
few feet of the Confederate pickets
while so engaged.
Henry Jeremiah Parks Charles Franklin Rand
Jerry C. Wall
BEN BEAGLE/LIVINGSTON COUNTY NEWS FILE PHOTO
Leroy Williams
William Wirt Winegar
BEN BEAGLE/LIVINGSTON COUNTY NEWS FILE PHOTOGRAPH
place: April 1, 1865; Five Forks, Va.
Presentation date and details:
May 3, 1865
Citation: While advancing in
Accredited to: Batavia front of his company and alone, he
found himself surrounded by the en-
Born: Aug. 18, 1845, Oswego
emy. He accosted a nearby enemy
Died: Feb. 14, 1930, Cleveland,
flag-bearer demanding the surren-
Ohio
Buried: Oakwood Cemetery (MH) der of the group. His effective firing
of one shot so demoralized the unit
(7B-326-7), Niagara Falls
that it surrendered with flag.
WILLIAM WIRT WINEGAR Accredited to: Mount Morris
Conflict/Era: Civil War Born: Oct. 20, 1844, Springport
Unit/Command: Company B, Died: Sept. 3, 1916, Bath
Buried: Nondago Cemetery (MH)
19th New York Cavalry (1st New
York Dragoons) (F-7), Bath
–––
Military service branch: Army
Source: Congressional Medal of
Rank: First Lieutenant (highest
rank: Brevet Captain) Honor Society website, https://www.
Medal of Honor action date/ cmohs.org/
INSURANCE AGENCY
Thank You For Serving Our Country
Call Today to 41 Liberty Street
Batavia, NY 14020
Schedule Your Phone: (585) 219-4214
Fireside Chat! Fax: (585) 219-4877

Accredited to: Orangeville the tail of the ship seriously wound-

Born: Feb. 24, 1848, Orangeville
Died: Oct. 19, 1927, San Diego,
Calif.
Buried: Arlington National Cem-
etery (MH) (2-1200-SS), Arlington,
Va.
CHARLES FRANKLIN RAND
Conflict/Era: Civil War
Unit/Command: Company K,
12th New York Cavalry
Military service branch: Army
Rank: Private (highest rank:
ed the tail gunner and rendered the
tail guns inoperative. Realizing the KIRBY, HOOVER, ELECTROLUX, EUREKA, ETC.
great need for firepower in protect-
ing the vulnerable tail of the ship, 329 Ellicott Street
Vosler, with grim determination, Batavia, NY 14020
kept up a steady stream of deadly
fire. Shortly thereafter, another 585-343-7754
20-mm enemy shell exploded,
wounding Vosler in the chest and – ALL MAKES AND MODELS –
about the face. Pieces of metal
lodged in both eyes, impairing his
vision to such extent that he could
only distinguish blurred shapes.

REFRIGERATION CO.
OF BATAVIA, INC.
26 Cedar St., • Batavia
585-343-2678 THANKS
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Eugene D. Dollard of Hamlin, seated, and his daughter Elizabeth Bysiek of Olean, pose with a citation presented to him in recognition
of his being honored with France’s Legion of Honor in June.
Hamlin veteran receives France’s highest honor
By MALLORY DIEFENBACH
mdiefenbach@batavianews.com
After surviving fighting the
Germans in World War II 77
years ago, Eugene D. Dollard
of Hamlin was honored by the
Ambassador to France for his
service helping to aid in the
liberation of hundreds of thou-
sands from the grips of Nazis
with France’s Legion of Honor
Medal.
“It was quite amazing to me,
and of course (the French) real-
ized how I helped get rid of the
bad people like Hitler and his
gang,” Dollard said.
The Legion of Honor Medal
is the highest honor conferred
for military bravery and ser-
vice, initiated by Napoleon
Bonaparte in 1802. The French
Legion of Honor is equivalent
to the United States’s highest
and most prestigious personal
military decoration, the Medal
of Honor.
France has, in recent years,
been bestowing the Legion of
Honor on World War II veterans
to express the country’s grati-
tude toward those who risked
their lives defending liberty.
American veterans who served
in World War II and who fought
on French territory in one of
the four main campaigns of
the Liberation of France – Nor-
mandy, Provence, Ardennes or
Northern France – are eligible
for consideration.
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Charles A. Herman
Funeral Director 1932-2020
A representative of the French consulate pins France’s Legion
of Honor Medal on Eugene D. Dollard of Hamlin, who was
recognized for his service in France during World War II.
“I was 18-years-old and I
heard about how bad of a man
this Hitler was, he was out to
destroy the world. That was my
thinking anyway,” Dollard said
when asked why he joined the
military.
He had one semester at
the University of Notre Dame
under his belt and answered
the call by enlisting in the U.S.
Navy. Dollard spent his training
between the Sampson Naval
Base in Geneva and Lido Beach
on Long Island before going to
Quonset Point in Rhode Island
for gunnery school. He was
assigned to the U.S. Naval Am-
phibious Division and departed
Charter Partner
Nancy M. Crocker
Lic. Real Estate Salesperson
Cell: (585) 314-7982
crocker@rochester.rr.com
7133 W. Main Road • LeRoy, NY 14482
office • (585) 502-5250
• (585) 344-2658
Julie A. Herman
Funeral Director
Salute To Veterans 2021
PROVIDED PHOTOGRAPH
from Hoboken, New Jersey on
the U.S.S. Henrico.
The U.S.S. Henrico sailed to
England and Scotland before
June 6, 1944 came along — the
Normandy Invasion also known
as D-Day.
“We took in the initial wave.
That was 7,000 of us killed in
24 hours,” he said. “That was
the largest invasion in all-time
history.”
Dollard was in charge of the
LCVP’s or small crafts off the
U.S.S. Henrico APA 45. The
Germans fired off the French
cliff, hammering the beach and
waters. Under this heavy bar-
rage of bullets, he landed on the
84 Avon-Geneseo Road
Geneseo, NY 14454
Cell: 862-268-5359
Office: 585-243-2643
Fax: 585-243-1838
pcavanaugh1@rochester.rr.com
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Stephen M. Kelley, Esq.
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131 Main St. • Suite 7 - Side Entrance
PO Box 278 • Geneseo, NY 14454
PHONE 585-519-4387
FAX 585-519-4419
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PROVIDED PHOTOGRAPH
beach and dove in the trenches,
crawling and scrambling
through corpses and scattered
limbs, dragging numerous
wounded men into the trenches
to administer first aid.
“Then they sent me down to
North Africa where Hitler had
his bunch down there going,”
he said.
Dollard said they were sent
back to Sicily then to Naples,
Italy to pick up General Patton’s
3rd Army and delivering the
troops to Marseille for Southern
France’s D-Day on Aug. 15,
1944.
He was then transferred to
the U.S.S. Chilton for the Pacific
tour, island-hopping to the
Marshall Islands, Caroline Is-
lands and the Ryukyu Islands. At
Awase Beach in Okinawa he was
assigned overseeing the supply
shipments, including trucks,
tanks, food, jeeps and weapon
carriers. Dollard said if it wasn’t
for the hydrogen bomb being
dropped on Japan, he probably
wouldn’t be alive today.
Dollard was honorably dis-
charged in 1945 and finished at
the University of Notre Dame,
including law school, and chose
to take over the family business
in Hamlin.
As for advice for kids entering
the military today, Dollard said
it would be quite the challenge.
“I hope we never get into this
involvement again,” he said.
Pattie Cavanaugh
Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker
862-268-5359
Pavilion resident
honored with
bridge dedication
RANDOLPH — David Lock-
wood, a longtime Pavilion
resident, is forever memorial-
ized with the dedication of a
bridge, in his native Randolph,
Cattaraugus County.
Lockwood, posthumously
honored Saturday with the
dedication of the “Sergeant
David Lockwood Memorial
Bridge.”
Lockwood graduated from
Randolph High School and
was attending college and
working as a carpenter’s as-
sistant in 1966 when he was
drafted into the U.S. Army
to serve during the Vietnam
War. He served with the 1st
Platoon, Alpha Company in
the 5th Battalion of the 9th In-
fantry Division. Following his
service, Lockwood graduated
from the Rochester Institute of
Technology and worked as a
mechanical engineer. He
and his wife Patricia moved
to the town of Pavilion in 1974
and raised two daughters. He
passed away in 2018.
Sen. George Borrello and
Assemblyman Joseph Giglio,
sponsors of the legislation en-
acting the designation, were
joined at the Randolph Ameri-
can Legion by Lockwood’s
family, friends and members
of the community to com-
memorate the contributions
of the Silver Star recipient.
“As a 19-year-old college
student from upstate New
York, David Lockwood an-
swered his nation’s call to
serve in the Vietnam War, and
accepted all the sacrifices,
hardships and risks that en-
tailed. A soft-spoken but ex-
ceptional leader, he advanced
quickly to the rank of platoon
sergeant and inspired great re-
spect from his men,” Borrello
said. “He distinguished his
company as one of America’s
finest infantry units in Viet-
nam and was awarded sev-
eral military honors, including
three Silver Stars, the third-
84 Avon-Geneseo Rd. Geneseo, NY 14454
Cell: 585-704-2246
Office: 585-243-2643
Fax: 585-243-1838
MarceaTetamore@gmail.com
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We Support Our Veterans
PAVILION MACHINE & TOOL LLC
pavilionmachine@yahoo.com
www.pavilionmachine.com
356 Wyoming Rd. Pavilion NY 14525
Ph 585-584-8477
(585) 343-5627 • www.tvfcubatavia.com
Ten Jefferson Square • PO Box 398 • Batavia, NY 14021
November 2021 • 9
SUBMITTED PHOTO
A crew finishes installation
of the sign in memory of Sgt.
David Lockwood.
highest military combat deco-
ration that can be awarded to
a member of the United States
military.”
Giglio reflected on the Sgt.
Lockwood’s lifetime of contri-
butions.
“The dedication of the
Sergeant David Lockwood
Memorial Bridge is the culmi-
nation of a lifetime of service
by Sgt. Lockwood, from his
heroic actions in Vietnam to
his many contributions here
at home as a family man, engi-
neer, and valued community
member,” Giglio said. “It was
an honor to sponsor legisla-
tion to ensure that Sgt. Lock-
wood will be remembered in
the town that he loved. We are
forever grateful for people like
Sgt. Lockwood, who commit-
ted their lives to making the
world a better place through
service to their families, their
communities, and their coun-
try.”
Cattaraugus County Direc-
tor of Veterans’ Services Steve
McCord said, “I did not have
the fortune of knowing Mr.
Lockwood but wish I had met
him. He epitomizes the qual-
ity of the veterans we have in
Cattaraugus County from his
sense of service to his hero-
ism on the battlefield to his
continued success after he re-
turned to civilian duty.”
Marcea Tetamore
Licensed Associate Broker
585-704-2246
10 • November 2021
We said we’d never forget. Will we?
For the first time in 20 years, we celebrate Veterans Day in relative peace
By Joseph Reagan
Special to The Daily News
On November 11, 1918,
Ralph Lindsey wrote from his
hospital bed in France “Armi-
stice signed at 11 o’clock. Grand
celebration all over France. War
is at last over and I am still alive!”
Later in life if you asked him
about the scars on his chest he
would simply respond with a
shrug and say, “I zigged when I
should have zagged.”
Ralph was my great-grandfa-
ther, and now, nearly 103 years
after he wrote those words our
nation once again finds our-
selves celebrating the contri-
butions of our veterans during
a period where their sacrifices
may be less visible than they
have during the past 20 years of
war.
After returning from World
War I, like many others from his
unit, Ralph found tremendous
success. He took over the fam-
ily business, and raised a fam-
ily. His friends H.A. Durkee and
Fred Mower, both former infan-
trymen, started a small com-
pany based on a unique marsh-
mallow confection. Another
from his unit, Walter Brennan,
is one of only three men to win
three Academy Awards, his
distinct voice the result of the
same gas attack that wounded
my great-grandfather. Take a
moment to look at Brennan’s
accomplishments – IMDb lists
nearly 250 film credits and
called him “In many ways the
most successful and familiar
character actor of American
sound films.”
To be clear, the end of the
United States’ involvement in
the Afghan war doesn’t mean
our service members are serv-
ing without risk. Our military
will continue to execute mis-
sions across the globe in sup-
port of our national security,
some of those more sensitive
missions, may never be known
to us. That aside, superficially
this Veterans Day will be much
like years past with parades,
speeches, and free meal deals
in honor of the nearly 19 million
veterans living in our commu-
nities.
Unfortunately, for many
veterans – especially those who
served in combat – may see this
acknowledgement as at best,
shallow and at worst, patron-
izing. Even before the fall of Ka-
bul, many veterans complained
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For the veteran, thank you for bravely doing
what you’re called to do so that
we can safely do what we are free to do.
Batavia resident and veteran Ronald Jackett walks with his three grandchildren, Caleb Jackett, Marissa Jackett, and Mark Jackett Jr.,
past the veterans memorial wall at the Jerome Center on Bank Street in Batavia during Veterans Day 2020.
that while they believed Ameri-
cans were genuinely grateful for
their service, few cared enough
to actually learn about the sac-
rifices our all-volunteer military
makes on their behalf. This civ-
il-military divide is not only im-
pacting the military’s ability to
recruit new troops, but also our
veterans’ ability to find mean-
ingful post-service careers.
A few years ago, I was travel-
ing from a conference in D.C.
in uniform, I was seated next
to a young man who was wear-
ing a sweatshirt from a very
prestigious college in the D.C.
area. He was clearly bright, af-
fable, and I was enjoying our
pre-flight conversation when
he turned to me and said, “so
you’re in the military, did you
not get a chance to graduate
high school?” This is just one of
the many, many cringeworthy
stories demonstrating the real-
life challenges of this civil-mil-
itary divide. This divide is even
more pronounced in Congress
where in the 1970s, nearly 80%
of the members of Congress
had served in the U.S. military;
COMMENTARY
today, less than 20% of the
117th Congress have ever worn
a uniform.
When my great-grandfather,
and grandfather returned from
World War I and World War II,
respectively, they entered a job
market that was saturated with
fellow veterans, who under-
stood them and the value they
bring to our communities as did
our elected representatives. A
congressional study in the late
1980s looked at the return on in-
vestment on veterans programs
84 Avon-Geneseo Rd. Geneseo, NY 14454
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Office: 585-243-2643
Fax: 585-243-1838
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84 Avon-Geneseo Rd. Geneseo, NY 14454
Cell: 585-746-6330
Office: 585-243-2643
Fax: 585-243-1838
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www.reneebook.com
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J. Leonard McAndrew
Funeral Home, LLC
2 Bogue Avenue | Batavia
343-6158
Ronald P. Konieczny II
Director, Proprietor
In Remembrance Of My
Father, Ronald Konieczny
www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net
(e.g., the GI Bill) found that for
every dollar spent on veterans’
benefits, nearly $7 came back to
the community through some
form of economic output. Hav-
ing worked with numerous
veterans’ groups since leaving
active duty I can tell you, this
figure is an understatement.
The truth about our veterans
since the end of the draft in the
1970s has become increasingly
diverse as individuals saw (and
continue to see) the military as
a way to achieve economic mo-
Alan S. Cole
Lic. R.E. Salesperson
585-750-3320
Renee Book
Associate Broker, ABR, SFR
585-746-6330
MARK GUTMAN/DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTOGRAPH
bility. They are smart, driven,
resilient, and entrepreneurial
– words that most Americans
like my seat mate – don’t al-
ways associate with a veteran.
After World War II nearly 50% of
See if you can get this plan. Call today.
Tanya Mulvaney
Licensed Sales Agent
716-436-9339, TTY 711
tanya_m_mulvaney@uhc.com
UHCCommunityPlan.com/NY
veterans owned their own busi-
ness, like my great-grandfather;
and most veterans outperform
their non-military peers in the
long run.
There is still work to do, while
many veterans thrive in their
post-service years others strug-
gle. Veterans continue to be
over-represented in the home-
less population, court system,
substance mis-use disorders,
and suicide deaths. These are
hard problems, but they are
solvable ones.
For the past 20 years Ameri-
cans have claimed we support
our troops, but how we choose
to treat our veterans over the
next few years will be the mea-
sure of whether we meant it
or not. As a nation we put an
impossible burden on a small
group of men and women who
volunteered to serve – fully
knowing the hazards of their
chosen profession. If we are
truly a grateful their service, we
will invest in those individuals
who have invested so much in
our freedoms.
Each generation of veter-
ans have shown time and time
again, that when they thrive,
our communities, and our na-
tion thrives as well.
Joseph Reagan is the Director of
Military and Veterans Outreach for
national nonprofit Wreaths Across
America. He served eight years on
active duty as an officer in the U.S.
Army including two tours to Af-
ghanistan with the 10th Mountain
Division.