Yorktown, N.Y. – (1/17/11) – The students at Yorktown High School welcomed Senator Greg Ball’s (R, C – Patterson) traveling Veterans’ Wall of Fame on Tuesday afternoon in Yorktown, NY. The wall pays tribute to the twenty-seven veterans from throughout the Hudson Valley who were honored at a Veterans’ Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony back in November. Each city, town and village within the Senator’s district was asked to nominate a Veteran.
“The Veterans whose faces grace this wall were nominated by their communities, hand-picked because they chose a path of courage, honor, integrity and bravery,” Ball said. “It is wonderful that the students in those communities now have the opportunity to learn about each of these Veterans and their amazing stories.”
During the opening of the ceremony Yorktown Students said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem. Among the students who sang was, Kate Nicastri who said, “My cousin is a Veteran and my step-brother is currently serving right now. I think this wall would mean a lot to them to come home and see how the youth of America is reacting to their services and appreciating them. I think that would mean a lot.”
Sergeant John T. McQuillan of Yorktown is one of the twenty-seven Veterans whose picture and story appears on the wall. Senator Ball has proclaimed that January 17th, 2012 is “John T. McQuillan Day,”. Residents throughout the New York State 40th Senate District are asked to give pause to honor and celebrate his accomplishments.
“It’s important that the American Public knows what it’s like to be a Veteran and knows the sacrifices that we have dealt with. I think Sen. Ball is doing a great job in getting the message out what it means to be a Veteran,” Sergeant McQuillan said. “It’s very important to teach the youth of Yorktown, and show them the many Veterans who have lived in the Town of Yorktown, going all the way back to the Revolutionary War.”
Retired Sergeant John T. McQuillan served as a Communications Technician is the United States Air Force, where he earned the Good Conduct Medal, 2 Unit Citations, the National Defense Ribbon, and the Expert Marksman Award.
For twenty-six years, McQuillan has been an active member of the Yorktown American Legion Post #1009, including twenty-two years as the post’s present Financial Officer. He is also a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 49 and an officer of the Father John LaFarge Council #4012 of the Knights of Columbus in Yorktown.
Yorktown School District Superintendent Dr. Ralph Napolitano said the wall, which was placed in the school’s main corridor, provides a great opportunity for students to learn about their local Veterans who served our country.
“The students are very cognizant of service in all of its forms particularly because they study Social Studies,” Napolitano said. “They are very aware of all of the men and women who have been called to perform service bringing the principals of freedom, democracy and liberty to not only our own county, but people all over the world. So, I think they will be very aware of the importance of this wall.”
The wall will tour local municipalities throughout the 40th district. The wall will be on display at Yorktown High School for a week before it moves to Haldane High School on February 16th. Other future stops include:
- February 28th-March 8th Hendrick on Hudson High School
- March 8th-16th Putnam Valley High School
- March 16th-23rd Mahopac High School
- March 23rd-April 3rd Webutuck High School
For a full list of the Veterans that were honored please click here.
For more information or to speak with Senator Ball, please contact Brittany Oat: (845) 200-9716.
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