Valentine’s Day Tribute for military service
ROTTERDAM — A Valentine’s Day Tribute to Our Military will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5 at the Rotterdam Elks Lodge at 1152 Curry Road, Rotterdam. Snow date is Feb. 26.
Military personnel and veterans will be honored by the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians members and Rotterdam Elks Lodge members. Veterans can find help with health issues, and get updates on legislation and guidance regarding Veterans Affairs benefits at the event.
“We want to let our military personnel and veterans know and update them on the positives of recent legislation and the availability of services and guidance that can benefit and help them,” says Jeannine Mannarino, a retired New York Army National Guard master sergeant and Ladies Order of Ancients Hibernians spokeswoman. “We also want them to know there are organizations that also can help them.”
Pat O’connor, a Navy reservist, president Red Knights NY III Motorcycle Club, past chief of the Shaker Road-loudonville Fire Department, and retired Colonie Police Department communications specialist, will be master of ceremonies.
Speakers at the event will include:
Andrew Berry, a psychologist and psychoanalyst who specializes in PTSD and other mental health needs of veterans and first responders, will provide an update on what’s new in mental health care.
New York Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Greg M. Mihalko, Joint Force Headquarters’ staff senior enlisted leader of the state Department of Military and Naval Affairs, Latham, who oversees staff functions and enlisted members, will detail new and positive things going on in the Air National Guard.
William H. Frank Jr., a graduate of Niagara University who served in the Vietnam War as a first lieutenant in the Army Finance Corp., will provide an update on the availability of veterans services. Frank graduated with a degree in accounting and later earned a CPA.
He was later promoted to captain in the Army Reserve.
Frank worked eight years for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG) and had a 30-year career as a manager in the state Department of Taxation and Finance.
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara will honor veterans, including Bob Becker, a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War and veterans advocate; William Frank, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War; and Ruth Connolly, wife of the late Christopher Connelly.
Merritt Dance Center dancers will perform “Hooked on America.”
A free roasted chicken and ziti and meatballs dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m..
Representatives of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Enlisted Association of the New York National Guard, Patriot Hills New York, Schenectady County Veteran Services, AMVETS Post 35, Gold Star Mother Chapter 11, Capital Region Veterans Memorial, Operation At Ease (which trains service dogs for veterans),
Also, Tracey’s Beauty Salon, Pella Liscia Young Living Essential Oils, Veterans & Community Housing Coalition, Rotterdam American Legion Post, Rotterdam Veterans of Foreign War Post, New York Disabled American Veterans Chapter 88, and New York Warrior Promise Memorial will provide an update on their services and answer questions.
An Honor Guard will be present from the Marine Corps League Electric City.
Prizes and giveaways will be sponsored by Patriot Hills New York, Price Chopper, Hannaford and other businesses.
For more information, contact Jeannine Mannarino at (518) 322-9520.
Honored posthumously
Vietnam War veteran John E. Hughes of Hadley has received a New York State Liberty Medal posthumously.
State Sen. Jim Tedisco presented the medal, the state’s highest award for military service and valor, to his widow, Judy Hughes.
Hughes earned the award while serving for 13 months as an Army radio teletype operator in the Central Highlands in the Vietnam War. He assisted in the transportation of soldiers and supplies to and from bases and was a Reaction Force Patrols member. He also earned an Army Commendation Medal with V device for combat valor while saving the life of a fellow soldier.
After the war, he worked at Finch Pruyn for more than 30 years and served for 16 years as town of Hadley assessor. He spent years as a Little League coach and was an active member of the William J. Varney American Legion Post No. 862, the VFW Post No. 5836, the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Tri-town Seniors.
He passed in 2017. “The Vietnam War was not a popular conflict at the time and those that served did not get the parades, thanks and grateful recognition they deserved,” Tedisco said after presenting the medal. “The heartfelt recognition for the service of all those who fought in Vietnam, like John E. Hughes, is long overdue.”