Senator George Borrello Honors Brigadier General Arthur G. Austin Jr. (Ret.) in Veterans' Hall of Fame Celebration

CUBA, NY – Senator George Borrello joined retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Arthur G. Austin Jr., along with his family, friends, fellow veterans, and local leaders in Cuba, New York, to honor him as the 57th Senate District’s 2025 inductee into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.

The program celebrated a life of service that began nearly five decades ago and has continued well beyond General Austin’s military retirement. The ceremony concluded with a luncheon highlighting cuisines from the regions where he served -- including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Louisiana, Japan, and the Middle East -- a nod to his diverse deployments and the cultures he experienced in uniform.

“Arthur Austin has worn our nation’s uniform with distinction and, in retirement, has continued to wear the mantle of service with the same pride and purpose,” Senator Borrello said. “From commanding troops in wartime to mentoring veterans here at home, his life’s work reflects an unwavering devotion to others. Today is about saying ‘thank you’ for his courage, his leadership, and the example he sets for all of us.”

General Austin began his service in 1977 as a Military Police soldier in the Michigan Army National Guard. After earning his commission from Michigan State University in 1982, he rose through the ranks in the U.S. Army, culminating in his role as Deputy Commanding General of the 46th Military Police Command. His military career included deployments to the Cuban Refugee Crisis, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Hurricane Katrina recovery operations, and combat theaters in Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Following his 2014 retirement, General Austin made Cuba, NY his home. He has since become a driving force in multiple veterans’ initiatives, from suicide prevention and VA outreach to outdoor programs that foster healing and camaraderie among veterans. He has lent his expertise and leadership to organizations including the Veterans Outdoors Experience, Community Veterans Outreach, and the Enchanted Mountain Veteran Coalition. His community work also includes organizing youth fishing derbies, supporting honor guard services, and speaking to students about service and leadership.

In 2024, his commitment was recognized nationally when the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) honored him as the Outstanding Veteran Volunteer of the Year — an award presented at the local, state, and national levels.

General Austin’s influence reaches into the classroom as well. Through guest lectures at Cuba-Rushford High School and St. Bonaventure University, he challenges young people to be “part of the solution, not part of the problem” — a motto that guides both his military legacy and his civilian life. 

Recalling General Austin’s impact on the next generation of military leaders, retired Lieutenant Colonel Sean Coulter, Director of Army ROTC at St. Bonaventure University, said: “When I arrived at St. Bonaventure to serve as Director of Army ROTC and Professor of Military Science in 2016, General Austin immediately took me—and, by extension, about 80 ROTC cadets—under his wing, making it clear he was 100% on our team and determined to continue the mission of leading troops and mentoring leaders that he began decades ago as an ROTC cadet in Michigan.”

“BG Austin’s Hall of Fame induction honors a leader whose legacy is defined by empowering growth through accountability and care.  His leadership gave us the freedom to thrive within clear parameters.  He didn’t just lead missions, he made them better, and he made us better,” said retired U.S. Army Major Curtis Belen.  

“I want to offer Brigadier General Austin my heartfelt and warm congratulations on being inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame by Senator Borrello. This honor is well-deserved. General Austin embodies respect, duty and honor of service to our nation in every aspect of his life. He’s an inspiration and it’s my honor to be his representative in the New York State Assembly,” said Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski, 148th Assembly District.                                                                                                         

Reflecting on his life of service, from the battlefield to his community, General Austin said, “I may not be able to change the entire world, but I can have a positive effect on the world around me.”

“Arthur Austin’s record of service is long, impressive, and filled with hard-earned honors,” Senator Borrello said. “But what speaks most to his character is that, after decades of serving his country, he chose to dedicate his retirement to serving his fellow veterans. That choice reflects a deep sense of duty and compassion that no medal can capture, and it’s why we are proud to honor him in the Veterans Hall of Fame.”

The New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame was created in 2005 to honor outstanding veterans from across the state who have distinguished themselves both in military service and through exemplary community involvement.

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