O’Mara inducts Yates County veteran into State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame on Tuesday: Pays tribute to Earle Gleason, former Director of Yates County Veterans’ Service Agency

Albany, N.Y., May 24—To coincide with this year’s upcoming Memorial Day observances across the state and nation, State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) today inducted P. Earle Gleason, a lifelong Yates County resident and a fixture in civic and veterans affairs in the county, into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Albany on Tuesday, May 24.

Gleason represented O’Mara’s 58th Senate District and was among approximately 60 veterans statewide inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.  Inductees are chosen annually by state senators from within their respective legislative districts.  A Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held in Hearing Room B of the Legislative Office Building this morning.

The Senate established its online Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2005 and, including this year, approximately 350 veterans have been inducted.  It’s designed to salute New York veterans whose service in the United States Armed Forces has been accompanied by service to the community and accomplishments as a civilian.  

“Earle Gleason has stood tall for the ideals of citizenship, sacrifice and service as a soldier, a veteran, and through his strong sense of duty and responsibility to his fellow veterans throughout Yates County, to his community and to his family,” said O’Mara.  “He represents everything that the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame is intended to honor and I’m proud to have this opportunity to salute Earle’s love of country, community, family and service.”

Gleason was nominated for this year’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame induction by Yates County native and former Yates County District Attorney Jason Cook.

Cook said, "I have had the honor of knowing Earle for many years and was happy to nominate him for induction into the Veterans' Hall of Fame.  He truly embodies the best traits that we admire in all of our veterans -- patriotism, loyalty and service above self.  Yates County is fortunate to have a man like Earle Gleason."

Gleason was drafted into the United State Army in 1968.  A distinguished Vietnam War combat veteran, who served with the Americal Division, Gleason is a recipient of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.  He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

A lifelong resident of Yates County, Gleason began a career with the Yates County Veterans’ Service Agency as Service Officer in July 1994 and became the agency’s director in September 1994.  For more than two decades as Director of the Yates County Veterans’ Service Agency, before retiring last year, Gleason was widely respected as a tireless advocate for his county’s more than 2,000 veterans.

He also served the community at large in various capacities through his dedication to community service through the Johnson-Costello American Legion Post 355 and as a Milo Town Councilman for 24 years.  He currently serves as a Yates County Legislator.

The Department of New York American Legion honored Gleason as Service Officer of the Year in 2008.  More recently, he has served as a guardian for two Rochester Honor Flights.

O’Mara’s previous Veterans’ Hall of Fame inductees have been:

-- in 2011, Philip C. Smith, a highly decorated Korean War combat veteran and well-known figure in Schuyler County government and veterans’ affairs;

-- in 2012, J. Arthur “Archie” Kieffer, a World War II combat veteran and a widely admired fixture in Chemung County government as the Chemung County historian;

-- in 2013, Painted Post Mayor and World War II combat veteran Roswell L. “Roz” Crozier, Jr.; and

-- in 2014, Anthony J. “Tony” Specchio, Sr., a distinguished Korean War veteran and widely respected for his long-standing and active service to veterans and government in Watkins Glen and throughout Schuyler County.

Following is the biography that accompanies Gleason’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame induction:

P. Earle Gleason proudly served his nation upon being drafted into the United States Army in 1968.  A distinguished Vietnam War combat veteran, who served with the Americal Division, Mr. Gleason was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.  He was honorably discharged with the esteemed rank of Sergeant.

A lifelong resident of Yates County, Sergeant Gleason has dedicated a lifetime of commitment and service to his country and to his home community, particularly in service to local veterans when he began a career with the Yates County Veterans’ Service Agency as Service Officer in July 1994, becoming Director of the Agency in September 1994.

For more than two decades as Director of the Yates County Veterans’ Service Agency, Sergeant Gleason was respected as a tireless advocate for his county’s more than 2,000 veterans, as well as by the community at large through his dedication to community service within the Johnson-Costello American Legion Post 355 and as a Milo Town Councilman for 24 years.  He currently serves as a Yates County Legislator.

In 2008, P. Earle Gleason was honored by the Department of New York American Legion as Service Officer of the Year. He has served as a guardian for two Rochester Honor Flights, an organization which benefits from his volunteer service.

Sergeant P. Earle Gleason has embodied the truest ideals of citizenship, sacrifice and service as a soldier, a veteran, and in dedication to his fellow veterans, his community and his family.

Over the course of his life and service, P. Earle Gleason has been guided by a sense of duty and enduring code of service.  He is a symbol of patriotism and honor for veterans in Yates County, our state, and our nation.