Lyndhurst man named veteran of the year

The fulfillment of a promise made decades ago plays an integral part in Bill Conley’s honor of being named the 2019 Outstanding Veteran of The Year by the Joint Veterans Council of Cuyahoga County.

While Conley was serving in the U.S. Navy during the 1960s, his grandmother passed away. She had helped to raise him and missing her funeral would have been devastating.

But through the joint efforts of the U.S. Navy and the American Red Cross the young sailor was able to come home and say his final good-bye.

Conley, now 75, of Lyndhurst, said it was that kind act by the American Red Cross which prompted him to promise that one day he would do whatever he could to help the organization.

And he’s been doing so for more than 17 years.

Rather than “paying it back,” Conley said he prefers to say that his time as

a Red Cross volunteer is actually “paying it forward.”

“Bill Conley has been serving as a volunteer in Disaster Services for about 18 years,” said Tim O’Toole, the regional disaster officer in charge of disaster operations and staff (paid and volunteer) in Northeast

Ohio.

“During those years Bill has been responder and an instructor in virtually every phase of our operations but, most importantly, Bill has been a leader, mentor and friend to everyone he comes in contact with,” O’Toole said. “He has been, and continues

to be, a vital asset to our ability to serve those impacted by disasters.”

Conley’s leadership roles include disaster response, disaster preparedness, logistics and shelter management. He is also an instructor who helps other disaster workers train for their positions and provides vital event support.

His work has taken him to all parts of the U.S., responding to those suffering from the effects of fires, floods, hurricanes and other disasters.

However, he said one tragic incident that remains in his mind took place right in Northeast Ohio.

At 2:30 one morning he was called to a house fire in Euclid. The family was distraught at having lost all of their possessions. When he arrived at the scene he found them sitting on the street curb near their destroyed home.

“We were actually able to get them off the street,” Conley recalled. “We got them in to a vehicle, got them warm and got them to a hotel.”

Because two of the children were especially emotional he was able to contact a mental health counselor who drove from North Olmsted to Euclid to meet the two and talk with them.

“She was able to calm the children down,” he said. “Everything seemed to be better when we got there.

“Collectively we do a pretty good job of easing (victims’) anxieties and needs,” he added. “The thing about any organization, especially an altruistic organization, is you find that everyone’s on the same page. People are there because they want to be there.”

When told of the award he was to receive, Conley’s response was modest.

“It kind of surprised me,” he said. “What am I doing that others aren’t? I’m a cog in a wheel.”

The Joint Veterans Council annually recognizes an honorably discharged veteran and his or her volunteer organization. Recent recipients have represented organizations such as Honor Flight Cleveland, the Cleveland Fisher House, and the Medical Service and Chaplain Corps of all branches of the military.

Conley will receive his award on Feb. 23 during the Joint Veterans Council’s 94th anniversary luncheon.

SUBMITTED Bill Conley, left, is shown taking part in an amphibious operation in Vieques, Puerto Rico in 1963 while serving in the U.S. Navy. The help that he received from the American Red Cross while in the armed forces inspired him to volunteer for the organization for more than 17 years.