The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
MORE OF A ‘DOER’ THAN A SPEAKER
2017 Veteran of the Year honored by Lorain Veterans Council
Even at the banquet, Horvath stepped out of the buffet line to help a woman in the kitchen. Then when someone accidentally spilled something on the floor, Horvath left his spot in line again to clean up the mess.
The selfless acts and service of one local veteran were recognized April 22 as the Lorain Veterans Council announced its 2017 Veteran of the Year.
U.S. Army Veteran and Amherst Township resident Joe Horvath was named the Veteran of the Year at the 71st annual banquet which took place at the Italian-American Veterans Post #1, 4567 Oberlin Ave. in Lorain. Francis Gino Manacci, 2006 Veteran of the Year, introduced Horvath and described the new award recipient as a man who does not waiver on his word.
Horvath and his wife, Linda, help maintain the Lorain County Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 625 North Lake St. in Amherst. The Vietnam veteran is also a member of organizations such as the VFW, the American Legion and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
“I like to help people out,” Horvath said, noting he is more of a “doer” than a speaker.
Even at the banquet, Horvath stepped out of the buffet line to help a woman in the kitchen. Then when someone accidentally spilled something on the floor, Horvath left his spot
in line again to clean up the mess.
The annual event’s festivities also included remarks from both Steve Smith, President of the Lorain Veterans Council and 2016 Veteran of the Year, and Kim Robertson, the director of community outpatient clinics and services for the Northeast Ohio VA Healthcare System. Smith described some of the past events carried out by the organization, which aims to coordinate and harmonize the activities of affiliated veterans’ organizations.
Smith also explained a
new post, the Polish Legion of American Veterans, recently formed and will be joining the council this fall.
Robertson spoke of the new Lorain Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 5255 N. Abbe Rd. Sheffield Village, and the healthcare system as a whole.
“We’re complex at every level,” she said, naming mental health, prosthetics and radiology as a few of the available services.”I think we’re only going to get better and I’m excited about that.”
Lorain Veterans Council officers for the 2017-2018 term were also sworn in at the ceremony. The newly sworn in officers include President Steve Smith, Vice President Ray Kershaw, Treasurer Michael
Simpson and Secretary Leo Citro.
When Horvath’s name was read aloud as the 2017 Veteran of the Year, the crowd of attendees cheered and gathered at his side, giving Horvath numerous hugs, handshakes and words of encouragements. Horvath said he wasn’t expecting to receive the award, but was more than honored to be recognized.
“This award is more valuable than the Silver Star,” he said. And a Silver Star is the U.S. military’s third-highest decoration for valor in combat.
In closing, Master of Ceremonies Stephen Bansek reminded attendees to not forget the phrase, “The land of the free because of the brave.”