The Peru Gazette

Plattsburgh, NY, U.S. Oval, Veterans Park, August 31, 2024 – Honor Flight Operations Director Janet Duprey introduced each veteran to the many well-wishers at 7 a.m. Send-Off Ceremony

Oril Bashaw, U.S. Army, 1967-1997 – Vietnam

Oril had recruiter training at Fort Benjamin Harris and was one of the first Army Reserve Recruiters assigned to the Albany Recruiting District serving Plattsburgh 962nd Ordinance Company and the 309th Reserve Unit in Elizabethtown.  Next, he was reassigned to Army Reserve Advisor and Administrative Personnel.  Assigned to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Oril was the Army Reserve Readiness and Training Center Instructor and Supervisor of the Education and Library Learning Center.  Oril served our country for 30 years.  Oril and Sharon will soon celebrate 56 years of marriage. 

Lawrence Bashaw, Veteran  Guardian for his uncle Oril, U.S. Army, 1979-1985 – Granada      

Larry had basic training at Fort McClelland.  Being stationed and working at Fort Drum was the dream of Larry’s lifetime.  Larry served with the 306th Military Police in Chester, Vermont, and a Platoon at Fort Ethan Allen with a Deuce and half Unit.  Larry is proud to be part of the military, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and uncles.

Robert Corbett, U.S. Air Force, 1955-1977 – Vietnam

Bob served with the Massachusetts National Guard in high school and earned a Ham Radio License.  Arriving at Sampson Air Force Base, Bob became an Airborne Radio Operator. Bob was sent to Dreux Air Force Base, France. Stateside at Lincoln Air Force Base, Bob trained as a Boom Operator refueling in flight KC-97 and KC-135 planes. Assigned to Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Bob was the ‘go-between guy’ between enlisted personnel and squadron commander, a job he enjoyed tremendously. Bob received many commendations for his 22 years of service. Bob and his wife Pauline have been married 66 years.

Carl Ezero, U.S. Navy 1969-1973 – Vietnam

Carl had basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station.  Carl boarded the LCU-1475 cargo ship that carried 160 tons through 12-foot seas as they returned from Panama.  Carl transferred to the USS Charleston LKA-113, an amphibious cargo ship. Carl was in charge of the helicopter pad as two choppers delivered supplies daily.  Carl wore his Mickey Mouse ears to bring the helicopters in. One night, a car pulled in front of Carl as he rode his motorcycle.  The collision broke his back; he was in traction and unable to return to the ship for a year.  Carl enjoyed his time in the service and would do it all over again. 

Keith Hazen, U.S. Army 1968-1981 – Vietnam

Drafted, Keith had basic and advanced training in Airborne and Green Beret Schools. In Thailand with the 46th Special Forces Company, Keith was an advisor to the provisional governor overseeing the military actions along the Laos and Cambodian borders.  The mission included training indigenous soldiers to support the Air Bases with operations to rescue downed pilots in Laos and Cambodia.  During Snake Handling Training, Keith was spat in the eye by an Asian Cobra.  He was medevacked to recover at a base hospital.  Keith completed 106 jumps during his military career.  

Thomas Karkoski, U.S. Air Force  1954-1958 – Cold War

Tom enlisted and had basic training at Sampson Air Force Base.  Sent to the Azores Lajes (Loges) Field, Tom was assigned to headquarters.  From there, the Army, Navy, and Air Force refueled as they crossed the Atlantic.  Tom was with the Information Division Military Station.  Tom was a reporter for television and newspapers and a cameraman.  Once a month Tom sent out mimeographed sheets to inform everyone of what was happening. In September, Tom will play at the 160th golf course he’s been playing on. He’s made 4 holes-in-one. 

Mark Karkoski Veteran Guardian for his dad Tom, U.S. Air Force, 1977-1984 – Cold War

Mark enlisted and had training as a Medical Services Specialist at Lackland and Shepard Air Force Bases.  Returning to Lackland, Mark worked at the Wilford Hall Trauma Unit.  Assigned to Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Mark was Assistant Head in the Emergency Room at the base hospital.  Mark also worked in several clinics in the area until his discharge.  At a benefit at Wilford Hall, a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader was injured.  Mark got to stitch her up.  

Gary Lebak, U.S. Air Force 1972-1992 – Cold War

Gary had basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. Gary traveled to Air Force Bases Holloman, Korea, Seymour Johnson, Turkey, Plattsburgh, Altus, and back to Turkey.  Gary retired from Plattsburgh Air Force Base.

Gary, an experienced swimmer, heard screams, saw a man sinking underwater. Without considering his own risk, Gary dove 20 feet to pull the man up.  He was fighting so Gary knocked him out and performed CPR on shore. Gary received the Airman’s Medal for his valor saving the man’s life. Gary was awarded many commendations for his 20 years of service.

Bradley Leno, U.S. Army 1966-1972 – Vietnam

Brad enlisted and had basic training at Fort Dix.  In Maryland, Brad trained on ¼,3/4,  2 ½, 5-ton, and M88 tanks. Brad was deployed to Germany with the 1st Battalion, 81st Field Artillery Regiment.   The soldiers were housed in an old World War II barracks for a year until a new barracks was built.  Brad supervised the maintenance of the light and heavy vehicles and tanks.  Brad received badges for his marksmanship in M14 rifles, M60 machine guns, pistols, and hand grenade launches.  Returning stateside, Brad was discharged at Fort Dix.

Billy Joe Leopard, U.S. Air Force 1962-1967 – Vietnam             

Billy Joe enlisted, had basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, and transferred to Plattsburgh Air Force Base. Billy Joe served with the Civil Engineers, driving heavy equipment and plowing lots of snow.  After four years, Billy Joe was assigned to Thailand and joined the Red Horse Squadron driving dump trucks. A Panda Bear slapped a British soldier and was bleeding, so Billy Joe rescued and cleaned him up. Billy Joe said he’d do it again as it was a good education, and he made many friends.  But, when asked to re-enlist, he said NO WAY! Billy Joe also served 32 years with the Plattsburgh Fire Department.                                                         

Edward McCasland, U.S. Air Force  1959-1963 – Cold War

At Lackland Air Force Base, Ed trained Sentry Dogs. Sent to Turner Air Force Base, Ed and his dog Rocky, a German Shepard, became partners. Ed and Rocky worked 3-day shifts, 3- evening shifts, and 3 days off.  They worked Alert Pad and Flight Line posts.  Ed and Rocky were alerted should anyone try to penetrate the base.  During the Cuban Crisis, they moved the KC-135 and B-52 planes inland, guarded by six men and six dogs.  Troops carried 45mm pistols during their watch. Ed and his wife Kay have been happily married for 66 years. 

Norman Moak. U.S. Navy, 1962-1966 Vietnam

After basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station, Norm reacted to penicillin, got sick in the hospital, and was home for Christmas.  Due to his illness, Norm missed Aviation Training, so he bought his books and learned on his own.   Norm, an Electronic Technician, flew all over the Pacific with views of countries and all the Islands.  Norm was on an old World War II ship for five long days with 2,000 soldiers aboard the old, slow, oily, stinky, crowded ship. Norm flew on the C-118 leftover Air Force 4-engine prop on 13 flights in a row, losing at least one engine per flight.

Clifton Phaneuf, U.S. Air Force 1968-1971-  Vietnam

After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Cliff was sent to Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base. Cliff did Photo Interpretation of enemy activities covering Laos and North Vietnam areas near the Ho Chi Minh Trail.  He found 1st Anti-Aircraft 100mm guns in Laos with weapons targeting our B-52 planes. Going to Vietnam, Cliff was in the back of a MAC aircraft full of soldiers that stopped in the Philippines to refuel. The plane was warm, and a stewardess in a short skirt gave out cool towels for soldier’s necks. They dropped the towels; the stewardess went down to pick them up. She caught on; soldiers clapped.

Gerald Ryan, U.S. Army 1965-1967  – Vietnam

Jerry completed Transportation Supply Training School.  Sent to Vietnam, Jerry was among the men who had to go on test flights after the helicopters were repaired. In Saigon, Jerry waited for a duty assignment to Da Nang. On cleaning duty, General Westmoreland walked into his office.  He asked Jerry where he was from and Jerry said Chateauguay, New York.  The General asked how far it was from St. Lawrence University and Jerry said about 60 miles.  The General said his daughter was a student there and he had stopped to eat at Mill’s Diner on Main Street, Chateauguay.  In Da Nang Jerry was having a cocktail when John Wayne walked in and shook his hand.

Dennis Scott, U.S. Air Force, 1963-1983 – Vietnam

Dennis, a Propeller Technician, maintained the C-123 aircraft.  Dennis had two involuntary tours of duty in Vietnam with the 315th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.  Sent to Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Dennis ran the electrical shop and planned and ordered the jobs.

Going to the shower, the towel wrapped around him as the North Vietnam mortar fire began.  Dennis ran for a bunker, no room for him.  In the dark, Dennis ran into a clothesline, fell to the ground, and lost his towel.  Running from mortar fire with no towel, Dennis ran down a busy road and found a bunker.  It’s hard to beat this story! Dennis received many commendations for his 20 years of service. 

William Wyant, Jr., U.S. Marine Corps 1973-1975  – Vietnam

Bill had basic training at Parris Island and trained at Camp Pendleton as a Machine Gunner.  Bill participated in Operation Eagle Pull, Cambodia.  During Operation Frequent Wind, Saigon, Bill was inserted into the first wave of the Ground Security Force.  Bill calmly disregarded threats of intermittent small arms and artillery fire to complete his duty. Bill is proud of his Certificate of Commendation for exceptional performance as a Team Leader of the Machinegun Section, Weapons Platoon, Company H, and Battalion Landing Team. Bill’s devotion to duty and personal sacrifice were in keeping with the 3rd Marine Division.