CHAIRMAN BALL ANNOUNCES OVER 30 NOMINEES FOR 2nd ANNUAL VETERANS’ HALL OF FAME

Posted by Greg Ball on Thursday, February 28th, 2013

(Photo Credit: Brian Avery Photography)

Brewster, N.Y. – (3/02/13) – Senator Greg Ball, (R,C,I - Patterson) Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs, today inducted the second class of over 30 veterans from throughout the Hudson Valley into the 40th Senate District Veterans’ Hall of Fame.

The ceremony was hosted in front of a full crowd at the Henry H. Wells Middle School in Brewster on Saturday, March 2nd.

The Veterans’ Hall of Fame was created by Senator Ball, and designed to honor outstanding veterans throughout the 40th Senate District. Each veteran inducted will also be individually honored on a traveling wall that will tour local municipalities throughout the 40th district.

“I am excited to induct this second class of heroes into our Veterans’ Hall of Fame! These men and women have been hand-picked by their communities because they chose a path of courage, honor, integrity and bravery; a path that helped shape America as we know it, protecting our way of life and liberty,” said Senator Greg Ball. “America is not a great country because of its politicians, it’s a great country because of our veterans.”

Carmel Town Supervisor Ken Schmitt said he was happy to nominate Carmel resident, Joseph Toleno for the 40th Senate District Hall of Fame, an honor that Toleno was well worthy of.

“This is a very well deserved honor for Joe Toleno. He served this Country with distinction and honor during the Vietnam War. Joe is a community-oriented person that is very involved in many civic groups,” said Carmel Town Supervisor Ken Schmit. “Mr. Toleno is a great guy that cares deeply about the community and helps out whenever he can. I am very honored and proud to have nominated him for Senator Greg Ball’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame.”

“It feels good, but I personally don’t think I am as deserving as some other veterans. I don’t feel that I have done anything spectacular; I did my job and came home,” said Toleno about the honor. “I am out here not to say, what I am and who I am; I am out here to say, how can I help? When I am able to help a veteran secure benefits it puts a big smile on my face; I think to myself, let’s do it again tomorrow!”

Somers Town Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy thanked Senator Ball for the opportunity to nominate two Somers veterans into the hall of fame.

“The Somers Town Board is proud to nominate Jack Lederman, a US Army Purple Heart recipient and Richard Bertram, a US Navy Gunner’s Mate in Senator Ball’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame,” said Somers Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy. “We sincerely appreciate the Senator providing this opportunity to honor these and other veterans for their extraordinary service to our Country.”

“I was very honored that the village of Pawling has selected me to represent them in Senator Greg Ball’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame,” said Stan Mersand. “I was honored to serve our country and I am always honored to be in the presence of other veterans.”

Below is a complete list, with` hyperlinks to pictures and biographies, of the 2nd class of veterans inducted into the 40th Senate District Veterans’ Hall of Fame:

Amenia: Stephen Valyou

Bedford: Guy E. Zinser

Beekman: James Tobin

Brewster: WWII Veterans

Buchanan: Emanuel Uva

Carmel: Joseph F. Toleno

Cortlandt: William Nazario

Croton-On-Hudson: Vincent A. Matero

Dover: Baptist Joseph Bianco

Kent: WWII Veterans

Lewisboro: Raymond Stone

Mahopac Ladies Aux: Alyssa Dellaripa