Senator Chris Jacobs Veteran of the Month Program Honorees

Senator Jacobs

November 9, 2017

“We owe our Veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude for their many sacrifices and their service to our country. After serving with great honor and distinction, many of our veterans continue to make a significant impact through their community service, adding to our desire to say “Thank You!”

That is why I initiated the 60^th Senate District’s Veteran of the Month program. I hope my website visitors will come regularly to this page to meet and learn about the dedicated and talented Veterans committed to their communities, and be inspired to serve as well.

Click here if you would like to nominate a Veteran you know, and congratulations to the Veteran of the Month Honorees!”

State Senator Chris Jacobs

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State Action

Michael Shanley, January 2020

Michael Shanley– Grand Island, NY

United States Army, 2000-2004

Served with 4th Infantry Division in Iraq from 2003-2004

Participated in the mission that captured former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein

Earned Valorous Unit Award, Army Accommodation Medal, Iraqi Freedom Medal, Global War on Terror Medal, National Defense Medal, Army Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Three Army Achievement Awards – Excellence in Tank Maneuvering, Gunnery Skills, Eliminating five enemy armored vehicles in a single battle

Co-Founder of Dog Tags New York, which provides therapy dogs to veterans in need

Volunteer for Buffalo Tunnels to Towers, KIA Memorial Road March and WNY Iraq/Afghanistan Memorial

Life member of Charles DeGlopper Memorial VFW Post 9249 since 2002

Volunteer for Niagara County SPCA, 2013-2019

Suzanne Quirk, December 2019

Suzanne Quirk – Angola, NY

United States Army, 1973-1997

Served as weather observer, ballistic meteorologist, attaining rank of Master Sergeant

Lifetime member of American Legion, ERIECO Women’s Post 1586 for 21 years

Member of Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association, charter member of Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Named 2015 Erie County Legionnaire of the Year and 2016 Eight District Legionnaire of the Year

Commander of the Erie County American Legion from 2017-2018

Worked for Autistic Services, Lutheran Services and The Resource Center, retired from NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

Volunteers, support local Meals on Wheels program

Robert Davis, November 2019

Robert Davis - Orchard Park, NY

United States Air Force from 1971-1975

Served as X-Ray technician assigned to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada

Honorably discharged January 1975 with rank of Sergeant

Joined American Legion Post 567 in Orchard Park in 1974 at urging of father, a World War II veteran

Began placing small U.S. flags at graves of veterans on Memorial Day 1976

Along with family, friends and Boy Scouts, has placed 1,700 flags at graves in Orchard Park

Active member of Hillcrest Volunteer Fire Company since 1990, becoming an EMT and serving with fire police

Member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he serves in numerous roles

Retired in 2016 as a laborer for the Orchard Park School District

Stephen Siulc, October 2019

Stephen Siulc – Orchard Park, NY

Joined U.S. Army following 9/11 attacks, began basic training in January 2002

Served in Afghanistan as a M240 Bravo machine gunner with 10th Mountain Division

Returned to U.S. for additional training before deployment to Iraq in 2005

Served with infantry unit responsible for security of election sites, Abu Ghraib prison

Joined Veterans of Foreign Wars in 2008, currently serves as commander for VFW Post 1419 in Hamburg, Erie County Council of Veterans of Foreign Wars

Employed as rating veterans service representative in the Veterans Benefit Administration compensation office

Participating in Odyssey Workshops at CPEA Gallery, an art exhibit of works done by veterans, including his photography

Married to wife of nine years, Kara, and father of three

Henryk John Markulis, September 2019

Retired Colonel Henryk John Markulis – Hamburg, NY

Entered U.S. Air Force in March 1969, second of third-generation military family

Flew WC-130 as “hurricane hunter” in Puerto Rico and Mississippi until July 1974

Assisted in freeing American personnel from U.S. Embassy in Saigon at the conclusion of the Vietnam War

Participated in the rescuing of the USS Mayaguez in the final battle of the Vietnam War in 1975

Former commander, executive officer, Charleston Air Force Base

Air staff action officer for Joint Chiefs of Staff, responsible for congressional and aeronautic issues at Pentagon

Served in leadership roles while based in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei and Iceland

Retired in 1995 as senior pilot with combat experience and more than 2,500 flying hours.

Awarded Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal.

Member of VFW and American Legion posts in Orchard Park

Christopher Fisher, August 2019

Christopher Fisher – Tonawanda, NY

United States Army, October 1999-September 2002

Honorably discharged as Specialist/E4

Assisted first wave of Army Rangers deployed from Fort Benning following 9/11 attacks

Awarded National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and two Army Achievement Medals for expert marksmanship

Former 3rd Vice Commander of American Legion Post 264 in Tonawanda

Joined New York City Police Department in January 2005

Joined SUNY Police in 2013, member of UB Veterans Steering Committee

Currently a narcotics investigator for the NYS Department of Health

Volunteer with Town of Tonawanda Youth Court, 2003-2016

Volunteer for “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” fundraiser on behalf of Erie County Crisis Services

Washington Lewis, July 2019

Washington Lewis – Buffalo, NY

United States Air Force, 1978-1987, Army Reserves 1988-‘89

Entered delayed enlistment program at 16 years old

Participated in remote military maneuvers in South Korea

Assisted Air Force security police with searches of plane crash scenes

M-60 machine gunner training

Selected to NCO leadership program, earned rank of Staff Sergeant at only 23 years old

Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon

Bus driver at Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority since 1995

Accomplished guitar player and active parishioner at New Creation Fellowship Church in Buffalo

Robert Kenefic, June 2019

Robert Kenefic – Hamburg, NY

United States Army, September 1965-July 1967

Assigned to 196th Light Infantry Brigade, deployed to Vietnam

Wounded twice in battle, earning two Purple Hearts, Combat Infantry Badge

Honorably discharged in 1967 with rank of Private 1st Class

Graduated from Iona College with degree in marketing

Hired by telephone company, transferred to Buffalo area in 1981

Member of American Legion Post 527, volunteers at Buffalo VA hospital

Father of three, retired and living with wife Linda in Hamburg.

April 2019, Raymond Borawski

Raymond Borawski – Town of Tonawanda, NY

United States Air Force, 1968-72

Served as Aircraft Radar Navigation Systems Repairman

Deployed to Indochina in support of the Vietnam Conflict, 1970-71

Received National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal.

Member of the Milton J. Brounshidle American Legion Post 205 in Kenmore for 10 years

Assisted with Post’s membership drives since 2015

Visits infirmed veterans at VA Hospital in Buffalo, as well as area nursing facilities

Three of his four children served in the U.S. Army

Volunteers within community, including Meals on Wheels/Ken-Ton Closet

Joseph Cash, March 2019

Joseph Cash – Orchard Park, NY

Drafted into United States Army in 1954, served in Japan

Specialist 4th Classwith 1st Cavalry Division Battery C 99th Field Artillery Battalion

Member of American Legion for 45 years, named Legionnaire of the Year in 1994

Commander, Legion Post 567 in Orchard Park for total of 11 years

Participates in veterans events, parades throughout Erie County

Advocates for homeless veterans, serves as member Homeless Female Veterans 5K Annual Race

Sponsors Little League baseball and football teams in the community

Elmer Wienclawski, February 2019

Elmer Wienclawski, Town of Tonawanda

Civilian Conservation Corps (arm of the U.S. Army), 1938-1940

Rejoined U.S. Army as winch operator, 1943-1946, U.S. Army Reserves, 1946-1950,

Recalled by Army in 1950, serving in Korea with 101st Airborne Division, retiring as Staff Sargent

Received Wall of Honor designation at Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, July 4, 2016

Active member, past president, Tonawanda VFW Frontiersman Post 7545

Member of Brighton Volunteer Fire Company in Tonawanda for 60 years

Honored for “exceptional courage, initiative and loyal commitment to duty” for actions in saving a life during house fire in 1968

Worked at American Brass Company for 44 years, retiring in 1985

Paul Kinsey, January 2019

Paul Kinsey, City of Tonawanda

U.S. Army – 1986-1990

Served at Fort Monmouth with 235th Signal Detachment in tactical satellite communications

Member of 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Stanley in Korea, Fort Benning with 36th Engineer Group, 43rd Engineer Battalion

Awarded Good Conduct Medal, two Army Achievement Medals with oak leaf, Advanced Training Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Award, NCO Professional Development Ribbon

Worked at Buffalo VA Hospital as nursing assistant in psychiatric/mental health units

Former Native American program manager with Buffalo VA

Member of several veterans and civic organizations, including Cherokee/Blackfeet Cultural Circle, AMVETS Post 1925

George Ross, December 2018

George R. Ross, Angola, NY

Served in U.S. Army for three years, served in Vietnam 1969-1970

Served in National Guard for 11 years, 206th MP Company, as well as Army Reserves

Awarded three Bronze Star Service Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal

Teaching school children history of American flag since 1976, recites Veteran’s Day poems at local ceremonies since 1988

Volunteer fire policeman, Evans Center Volunteer Fire Department

James Becker, November 2018

James Becker, Grand Island, NY

Colonel, U.S. Army/Army Reserve 1992-2017

Commander with 402^nd Civil Affairs Battalion in Iraq, 2002-2007

Served as Deputy Commander, 354^th Civil Air Brigade

Awarded Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Co-Founded Artists/Veterans Art Collaborative, using art as therapy for returning vets

Works as readjustment counseling therapist at the Buffalo VA Hospital

October 2018, John Moffat

John Moffat, Tonawanda, NY

U.S. Navy – November 1968-August 1980

Served on USS Yellowstone, a destroyer tender, as well as hospital corpsman and dental technician

Awarded National Defense Medal and Navy Good Conduct Medal

Serves as docent at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, as well as team leader for Commissioning Committee for Special Events

Graduate of Buffalo State College, Masters Degree in education

Former Chairman of the Town of Tonawanda Community Emergency Response Team

Worked at Western New York Independent Living, assisting the disabled to live independently

September 2018, John Schroeder

John E. Schroeder, Orchard Park, NY

United States Army, 1968-1970

Assigned to 1st Infantry Division, served in combat in Vietnam

Awarded Bronze Star, National Defense Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm

Member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Society of the First Infantry Division, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, Amvets and Veterans of the Vietnam War

Past Commander of VFW Post 6247, past President of American Legion Post 567

Chaired Orchard Park Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony for 25 years

Chairman, Orchard Park Veterans Park Committee, oversaw comprehensive revitalization of park

Orchard Park Lions Club, 27 years of outstanding service recognized with 2013 Robert Uplinger Award for Distinguished Service and 2017 Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for dedicated Humanitarian Services

Wayne Baumgartner, August 2018

Wayne Baumgartner, Tonawanda, NY

U.S. Air Force – 1966-1967, Serving in Vietnam

Awarded USAF Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Current 2nd Vice Commander, Brounshidle Post 205 in Kenmore, former Post Commander

Marshall, coordinator Memorial Day/Veterans Day parades since 2009

Solicits donations for Post events, needy families and Gold Star Mothers

Chairman, Town of Tonawanda Community Emergency Response Team

Volunteer fundraiser for annual Tonawanda police vs. firefighter charity hockey game

Visits infirm veterans at Buffalo VA and local nursing homes

Jason Jaskula, July 2018

Jason Jaskula, Hamburg, New York

U.S. Army - 1989-1993, U.S. Army Reserve - 1994-Present

Operation Iraqi Freedom, October 2004 - 2005

Military Advisor, Central Command Multi-National Force, Iraq

Advised Iraqi Army’s 5th Division, 6th Battalion, over 150 combat missions

98th Training Division Engineer School, 80th Training Command and 75th Training Command

Founder, Killed In Action Memorial Road March honoring fallen comrades, raising money for charity

Department of Veterans Affairs’ “Welcome Home Troops” event volunteer

“Veterans Golden Age Games” volunteer

Mentor, Buffalo Veterans Court

Volunteer Program Specialist, Buffalo Veterans Affairs Healthcare System

Thomas O'Connell, June 2018

Thomas O’Connell, Buffalo, NY

United States Navy, 1965-1969

United States Naval Reserve, 1969-1971

Served during Vietnam era, honorably discharged with rank of Petty Officer Third Class

Awarded National Defense Service Medal for honorable service

Highly active in local and county American Legion, serving as vice commander

Life member of Amvets, chairman of Committee for Restoration of Veterans’ Posts in Erie County

Former president St. Margaret Holy Name Society, named their Man of the Year in 1992

Active in Grant-Amherst Business Association/chairman of Buffalo Italian Festival for 10 years

John "Jack" O'Connor, April 2018

John “Jack” O’Connor, Kenmore, NY

United States Army, 1968-1970

Served in Vietnam with the 82^nd Airborne Division and the 25^th Infantry Division.

Awarded Bronze Star, National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge

Worked to create nation’s first Veterans Treatment Court in Buffalo, NY

Serves as mentor coordinator, Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court

Consultant for Justice for Vets, a division of National Association of Drug Court Professionals

Member of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 77 in Tonawanda

Allen Prame - March 2018

Allen Prame, Grand Island, NY

United States Navy, 1948-1952

Machinist mate in post-WWII Europe

Served on USS Waldron and USS Stribling, destroyers in European and Pacific Theaters

Earned Occupation of Europe Medal and Good Conduct Medal

Past Commander of American Legion Post 1346, serves on Post’s Color Guard

Organized annual 4^th of July Parade, including escorting of Gold Star Mothers

Organized and led installation project of flagpole at the Miracle League Baseball Field serving disabled youths and young adults

Arranges successful Post fundraising drives, including annual Poppy sale

February 2018 Veteran of the Month - Matejka Baumgardner

Matejka Baumgardner, Hamburg, NY

United States Marine Corps, 1999-2003

Served with 7^th Communications Battalion in Japan

Deployed to Kuwait in March 2003, served in operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism and Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Bronze Campaign Stars.

Spearheaded Kids Korner, providing free childcare to veterans receiving services at Buffalo VA Hospital

Member of this VFW Post #1419 in Hamburg, Erie County Woman’s American Legion Post 1586.

Past Commander of VFW Woman’s Post 12097

January 2018 Veteran of the Month - James Trembath

James Trembath, Angola, NY

United States Army, December 1965 – January 1968

Stationed in Vietnam with the 101^st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles).

Involved in the Newell-Faulkner American Legion Post #880

Member of the Post’s Color Guard and public relations

Leads the Color Guard during community events and parades

Received a Purple Heart and 101^st Airborne Paratrooper Wings

December 2017 Veteran of the Month - Dennis Smilinich

Hometown, City of Tonawanda, NY

U.S. Army, 20 years of service, retired as First Sergeant in 1990

Served in Vietnam as a “tunnel rat” and paratrooper with the 101^st Airborne Division, 326^th Engineer Battalion

Recipient of Bronze Star and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry

Life member – Disabled American Veterans, current member of the Vietnam Veterans Chapter #77 in Tonawanda where he serves as Chairman of the “Remembering Vietnam Memorial” committee, was instrumental in bringing combat helicopter to the city’s Veterans Park.

Past County Commander-American Legion, Past Commander Tonawanda’s Post #264 American Legion, current member of Grand Island Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vice-Chairman of the Twin Cities Veterans Council that plans Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies

Volunteer advocate for Veterans in need returning from active duty

Active volunteer with numerous youth, charity and community organizations, including Tonawanda Football Booster Club, Tonawanda 2020 and Lindsay’s Legacy

November 2017 Veteran of the Month - Ryan Sajdak

Hometown, Buffalo, NY

U.S. Army National Guard, 10 years, retired as captain in 2016

Served in Afghanistan as an aeromedical evacuation officer

Returned home, launched North Buffalo Organization, community-based volunteer group

Organized community clean-ups and other events for the benefit of residents in the Hertel Avenue neighborhood

Teaches special education in the Buffalo School District.

Served as volunteer teacher for students at the Health Sciences Charter School

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former New York State Senator
Chris Jacobs

Senator Chris Jacobs Veteran of the Month Program Honorees

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Newsroom

Jacobs Sponsors Data Security Legislation For All State Issued Devices

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Jacobs Honors Anne Gioia With New York State Women of Distinction Award

Jacobs Secures COVID-19 Protection Supplies for Orchard Park Recreation Department