The Peru Gazette

Birds Acquired to Enable Planned Pheasant Releases Following Spring’s HPAI Outbreak

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the fall 2023 pheasant season will proceed as planned. After the loss of the pheasant flock at DEC’s Reynolds Game Farm earlier this year due to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), DEC is acquiring ring-necked pheasants from a commercial hatchery to supplement fall upland bird hunting opportunities around the state. Every year, DEC releases 30,000 pheasants on more than 100 properties that are open to the public for pheasant hunting.

“Pheasant hunting serves as an introduction to hunting for many New York hunters,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “DEC was devastated by the loss of the State’s breeder flock this spring and is grateful to be able to offer the pheasant program this fall and beyond.” Read more »

The North Country Chamber of Commerce is renewing its call for a commitment from the state to address the embarrassing state of the Beekmantown Welcome Center. Check out this video.

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The Bootleg Band jumpstarts the series July 7

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Peru was represented by Zach O’Connell, Jake Frechette, and Landen Duprey, while Donnoven Mitchell was named to the D-I all-star team and Connor Graves was an honorable mention.

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“Capt. Christopher J. Garrow was a fearless public servant, who was committed to protecting his community and the state of New York,” Governor Hochul said.

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These men are your neighbors. Read their military service biographies. (Please Share) 

June 17, 2023 – Plattsburgh – Honor Flight Executive Director Barrie Finnegan stated, “Three WWII veterans flying today is incredible even by National Honor Flight standards. With the Greatest Generation shrinking rapidly, we are proud to Honor these and the rest of the Veterans from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and Desert Storm.

Biographies compiled and read at the Send-Off Ceremony by Janet Duprey

Norton Davis

U.S. Navy               1944-1946                     World War II

Norton, a senior in high school, turned 16 on Pearl Harbor Day.  His parents refused to sign a waiver so they made a deal; if Norton went to college, he would go if called to serve. 

Leaving Purdue, Norton, an electrical engineer, serviced new electronics. One radar device could tell if a plane was a friend or foe.  

Norton joined the Signal Corp Engineering Lab when the Korean War broke out.  A two-star General called, saying helicopter pilots were being shot down and they needed equipment to find them.  The General ordered Norton to prepare equipment to ship in 6 months. A 2-year project, the General assured: “I have your back.” Norton had 600 pieces of equipment loaded on a ship to Korea in 6 months. 

Norton’s father served in France in World War I. He taught Norton to realize what we have and who we are in America.   

John Dooley  

U.S. Marine Corps                             1944-1947                                             World War II

John celebrated his 18^th birthday as a member of the Marine Corps.  John was an anti-aircraft gunner in the tub as the 3^rd Division arrived at Iwo Jima. The 4^th and 5^th Divisions stayed at Iwo Jima as the 3^rd went to Guam to prepare for the invasion of mainland Japan.  After the bomb dropped, there was no invasion.  John’s Division went to China to defend the American Embassy and help the Seabees rebuild it.  

John was on the Great Wall of China when he realized the nationalist Chinese led by Chiang-Kai- Shek was on one side of the Wall and the communist Chinese led by Mao Tse Tsung were on the other.  As a firefight ensued, John and his Gunner crawled under their vehicle.  John said, “This stuff happens when boys get together.” The war, called ‘ battle fatigue, ‘ stayed on John’s mind for a long time.  

John enjoyed an afternoon at his son’s house with Captain Dan Marshall, twice shot in Iwo Jima, lead intelligence officer of the 4^th Marine Division.  

Leaving, John reached the bottom porch step and saluted Captain Marshall, who did not return the salute. The Captain went down the steps, shook John’s hand, looked him in the eyes, and said, “John, the war is over.”  Since that moment, John has been more relaxed, and battle fatigue is gone.  On June 26^th, John and his wife will celebrate their 75^th wedding anniversary.            

Harold Keysor       

U.S. Navy              1956 – 1959    Vietnam     

Naval Reserves     1959-1962

At 17, Harold enlisted in the Navy because he liked water. After basic training in Maryland, Harold completed his GED. Harold attended Class A Operator School, Mechanic and Supervisor schools.
Harold was stationed in Guam for 18 months as a Seabee, using his construction skills to support the Marines in building barracks and docks. Harold’s unit put in airstrips on small islands; some so small the islands’ airstrip went the entire length of the island.

Harold worked a lot, but most importantly, he learned a lot.   

Richard Lamontagne                          

U.S. Air Force                   1965-1988     Vietnam 

After basic training, Richard was assigned as an Administrative Specialist ordered to Athens, Greece, a “choice location.” Richard worked in postal service mail terminals sorting and distributing, then put in charge of all Air Force mail. Next, Richard was assigned to the U.S. Embassy.

Returning stateside, Richard worked in training schools coordinating printing,  testing, presentations, and more. Richard was ordered to Plattsburgh to work with the Commander of the Services Squad and then with the Colonel in charge of Base maintenance.  

Richard would do it all over again.         

Gaylon LeCuyer

U.S. Navy                          1983-1994                        Desert Storm

 Gaylon enlisted and completed basic training at Fort Knox. 

At Fort Riley, Gaylon had cohesive training in a cohort going back and forth between Fort Riley and Germany for 18 months.  

 Deployed to Iraq, Gaylon’s division took part in the 4^th Battalion, 37^th Armor going through minefields to liberate Kuwait.  A 17-year-old soldier asked Gaylon if he would bring him home; he said ‘yes’ and proudly brought all his platoon home. 

 Gaylon received 13 medals, including a Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal.

Terry Morris     

U.S. Air Force                 1966-1986                      Vietnam            

Terry and some friends signed up at the Marine Corps recruiting office.  The recruiter knew them and said, “Oh hell no.”  Terry joined the Air Force.
Terry traveled to Japan, Germany, Thailand, England, Belgium, and eventually Vietnam at Monkey Mountain, near Da Nang. 

Part of Terry‘s duties was to load the aircraft tip-tanks with Agent Orange and dispose of the empty drums. Of course, no one said anything about the dangers until after the War. 

Terry retired from the 380th Bomber Wing, Plattsburgh Air Force Base.
Terry proudly says, “I’d do it all over again.”

Ronald Packwood    

  U.S. Air Force                                  1961-1988                           Vietnam

Ronald completed basic training in Texas and began his career as a vehicle operator rising to Transportation Supervisor. Ron was stationed at Air Force Bases: Shreveport; Plattsburgh (where Ron met his wife);  Puerto Rico; Keesler; Thailand; Chanute; and Germany. Ron’s final destination was the Air Force Academy overseeing vehicles on the bases where he was stationed.  

After 27 years of service, Ron retired as a civilian Transportation Supervisor until the closure of Plattsburgh Air Force Base.

Ron is proud his four sons served in the Air Force; Ronald, Steve, Kenny, and Kevin. 

Kevin Packwood is a Veteran Guardian of his Dad  

U.S. Air Force                     1989-1998               Desert Storm 

Kevin enlisted and was stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base until it closed in 1995. A member of the Base Security Forces, Kevin was one of the last to leave.  

Kevin was stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. Kevin spent a year in Korea providing flight line security.

Kevin was deployed to Iraq for the first wave of Desert Storm, setting up base security, weapon storage, and protecting aircraft areas. 

 Kevin enjoyed the comradery of their close-knit team, and he would do it all over again.  

Armand Premo 

U.S. Army Air Corps                       1943–1946                         World War II

Armand joined the Army Air Corps the day after turning 18. Armand completed basic training at Lowry Field, Colorado. Flying in a C-119 cargo plane, Armand was listening to a headset.  The pilot ascended 1,000 feet, saying, “I hope there’s no one up here as I can’t see a thing.”

Armand climbed the stairs to his assigned position on the Rock Hill Victory Ship with a bottle of whiskey in his fatigues belt. The bottle slipped; smashed on the deck; no one knew where it came from.  Landing in France, the ship dropped anchor a mile offshore as they approached a minefield; they waited for a pilot boat to guide them to shore.    That night going through the woods, Armand’s Commander was stabbed by a French soldier. Armand wondered if the French were allies or enemies.  

In a B-25, Armand, a radio gunner, flew into Germany as the War was winding down.  In Belgium, he learned the War was over. 

Armand invited a friend to fly on a B-17 bomber.  Coming to a ‘relief tube,’ the friend asked what it was.  Armand’s humor he said, ‘It’s an intercom’; think about it!

Philip Pearo

U.S. Army 1977-1987 Cold War

Vermont Army National Guard           1987-1990

Philip’s first flight was to Fort Dix for basic training, landing in a record snowfall.  Fifty soldiers wide, up to their knees in snow, shoveled one shovel at a time to the soldier next to them.  

Sent to Maryland, Phillip attended tank and diesel mechanic school. Trained on diesel trucks, generators, and jeeps, Philip moved on to engineering and master mechanic school and became an instructor on Cold Weather survival.

Returning home, Philip served 12 years with the Vermont Army National Guard.           

Thomas Roberts      

U.S. Army                                   1967-1970             Vietnam  

Thomas and two high school friends completed basic training at Fort Dix. Tom went to Fort Gordon for Military Police training.  Married with a 6-month-old baby, Tom was deployed to Vietnam, 9^th Division for Base Security.   

Tom had two close calls.  A soldier sentenced to Leavenworth escaped; Tom found him; talked him out of shooting.  A soldier who got a “Dear John” letter dropped a grenade in a bucket of ammo; 12 soldiers died.  

Tom escorted dignitaries, including John Glenn and Bob Hope.  

Honorably discharged, Tom was 21 when he returned home to his family.              

Richard Shinnock 

U. S. Air Force                                  1951-1955                              Korean

As a Peace Soldier, Richard was sent to Japan after Pearl Harbor.

Soon after arriving in Japan, Richard bought a car, and he was in a minor fender bender. He asked those in the car that hit him if they were hurt. The gentleman riding in the backseat was Prime Minister to Emperor Hirohito. The Prime Minister was so impressed with Richard’s concern they sparked a friendship. Richard attended many functions and events hosted by the Prime Minister, who also presented Richard with gifts of thanks. As Richard’s tour ended, the Prime Minister offered his family a second home in Japan to visit any time.        

Jean St. Cyr

U.S. Army     1969-1972               Vietnam

At age 18, Jean attended basic and advanced infantry training at Fort Dix.  Sent to Germany, Jean drove commercial trucks from Ports to Bases near the North Sea.  

Jean re-enlisted and was ordered to Vietnam.  Jean’s Division supported the 4^th Infantry Division delivering supplies to bases near Pleiku.  Jean’s transport was ambushed; sadly, Jean could not save the truck driver.  In a second ambush, Jean was injured and flown by helicopter to a hospital. Jean was awarded two Purple Hearts.

Barry Whitman            

U.S. Army                      1966-1972                         Vietnam

After training at Fort Dix, and Fort Polk, Barry was assigned to the 25^th Infantry Division, the Wolfhounds.  In Vietnam, Barry was a Radio Operator for the Company Commander.  

In battle, Barry was shot in the chest, missed his heart and hit his lung. Barry’s parents were advised he had a ‘minor injury.’ The local paper published it; a Watertown paper wrote his obituary, rescinded a few days later.  Leaving the hospital, Barry was assigned to Headquarters Company.  Barry is a Purple Heart Recipient. 

At the Wall, Barry will pay respects to a childhood friend, Steven Vallier, the first Vietnam casualty from Tupper Lake.                                          

Roger Willingham

 U.S. Army                 1968-1972                 Vietnam

Roger enlisted so he wouldn’t be drafted. After basic training, he went to advanced training at Fort Bennington. 

Ordered to Vietnam, Roger joined the Army/Navy Division.  Roger served in the 1098^th Transportation Command attached to Headquarters Company.  

As the radio operator for the Harbor Master’s office, Roger communicated with the ships entering and leaving the harbor.   

Roger says the nights were the worst. On his radio, he heard companies on land under attack; brothers were in distress; Roger could not help; he listened. Roger said it was the hardest part.

These women are your neighbors. Their biographies will surprise you. (Please Share) 

Plattsburgh – June 17, 2023 – North Country Honor Flights 46 and 47 took to the skies on Saturday, June 17. Flight 46 was the first-of-its-kind all-female Honor Flight. Fifteen deserving female Veterans made a special stop at the Women’s Military Memorial at Arlington Cemetery, amongst the other memorials.  At Saturday’s Send-Off Ceremony, Honor Flight Executive Director Barrie Finnegan said,  “Some people thought the Honor Flights are just for men. That’s not true. We’re so happy these women are participating today. We’re confident many more women will participate in future North Country Honor Flights.” 

Here are the biographies compiled and read by Janet Duprey at the Send-Off Ceremony. 

Mary Barber

U.S. Army     1974-1977           Vietnam  

Mary’s basic training was with the Women’s Army Corps, Fort Jackson.  Starting at 6 a.m. in freezing cold, 15-minute breakfast; drill training in afternoon heat.  Mary can break down and reassemble an M16 in 8 seconds and drive a deuce and a half.  

At Fort Sam Houston, Mary became a field medic; did surgical setups; identifying 100 surgical instruments; Mary was an operating room specialist.  

Mary finished at Fort Devens, 46^th Combat Support Hospital, a descendant of the original MASH Unit.

I am pleased to recognize Mary Barber, a behind-the-scenes volunteer since 2013, a multi-flight leader; she steps up whenever needed.  Let’s show appreciation for an extraordinary volunteer and veteran.

Margaret “Peggy” Boggs

U.S. Air Force 1981-1985   Cold War

Margaret joined the Air Force and met her husband, who was serving. After training at Lackland, Peggy was stationed in Plattsburgh for four years, working at the Base hospital as a Medical Administrative Specialist.

Peggy worked in the orderly room and was part of the Decontamination team preparing for war.  At 2:00 a.m., they would be called for a lockdown at the hospital.  In War Games, they would stay in tents and be called “Yellow Bananas,” referring to their bright yellow suits. 

A modest person, Peggy was surprised to be voted by her squad as “hospital sweetheart.”                 

Deborah Briggs

U.S. Air Force                  1972-1995                    Cold War 

Deborah, afraid of water, asked a Navy Recruiter if she had to swim.  He said they’d teach her; she joined the Air Force.  

Deb supported weapons system changes as an Inventory Management Specialist, including transitioning from B-52 to B-1B at Grand Forks, North Dakota.  Deb served the 48^th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England.  Deb’s best assignment was an isolated tour in Iceland as Director of Logistics, the last of the manual radar sites in the Air Force.  

Deb retired with the closure of Plattsburgh Air Force Base after 23 years in service to our Country.         

Joyce Trudeau-Connors

U.S. Army                         1975-1996                Desert Storm 

At age 34, Joyce, a Registered Nurse, enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps.  Joyce had basic training at Fort Sam Houston, basic officers and advanced officers school in San Antonio.

The most interesting course was nuclear warfare and Joyce is glad she never had to use that training. Orders for active duty in Italy were canceled due to Desert Storm, as Joyce was on call and at the ready.

A portable TV during the World Series assured Joyce was the most popular person on base.

Thomas Connors, Veteran Guardian for his wife 

U.S. Navy         1967-1969             Vietnam

Tom enlisted in the Navy, basic training in Gulfport, Mississippi. A Seabee, Tom was stationed in Rhode Island.  

Tom was ordered to Vietnam and spent nine months on the coast near the DMZ. Tom’s Battalion supported the Marines in building bunkers and concrete pads.

During an artillery strike, Tom dove into a bunker hooking his side on a metal post; thankfully, Tom’s only serious injury.  

In Rhode Island, signs read, “Dogs and sailors stay off the lawn.”                 

Jennifer Curry

U.S. Navy               1973-1976             Vietnam

Naval Reserve                         1976-1982

At basic training in Orlando, Jennifer joined hundreds of women ln various companies marching with a sense of pride in our Country.  Jenn went to Navy Air Station, Moffett Field, California, as an Airman in a deployment squadron working in Supply and Screening aircraft parts.  

Jenn was accepted at the Naval School of Health Science in San Diego.  After training, Jen finished her tour at Oakland Naval Medical Center.  Jennifer served six years in the Naval Reserve.

Lois Duford

US Air Force             1965-1966                  Vietnam 

Lois joined the Air Force with dreams of seeing the world. After boot camp in San Antonio, Texas, Lois was stationed at Stewart Air Force Base near West Point.

Lois was an administrative assistant at her first duty station when she met the man she would be married to for 56 https://www.perugazette.com/?p=78941&preview=trueyears.  Lois left the Air Force and became a military wife. 

While Lois’s dream of seeing the world changed, Lois, Carl and their children were stationed in Guam, Turkey, and several states.  

Vietnam Veteran Carl flew on Honor Flight 32 and Lois will carry him in her heart on today’s flight.  

Diane Kinne 

U.S. Air Force                 1974-1987                     Cold War

Air National Guard      1989-2008

When Diane signed up, the recruiter asked if she wanted to do paperwork. She said, “No.” Asked if she wanted aircraft maintenance, Diane said, “Sure,” making her one of the first females in the Aircraft Maintenance Career Field.  

Stationed in California, Germany, Idaho, and finally at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Diane knew the Adirondacks was where she wanted to be. 

Retiring from the Air National Guard, Diane received the Volunteer of the Year Award for 32 years serving as an Honor Guard, her best duty ever.              

Donna Komornicki           

 U.S. Air Force                           1969-1989                        Vietnam 

 Donna served 20 years as a Visual Information Media Technician. 

 Carswell, Texas Donna was a projectionist for B-52 and FB-111 aircrews.

At Plattsburgh, Donna was assigned to the Audiovisual Library and Photo Lab. Thinking Texas to New York was a bad climate change, Donna arrived at Minot, North Dakota, quickly moving off base to get snow days off!   

Ramstein, Germany, Donna scheduled seminars and conferences; traveled across Europe.

After Donna’s final three years at Plattsburgh, she volunteered to help archive the base history.   

Mary Labarge

U.S. Marine Corp                       1964-1965                    Vietnam            

Mary enlisted in the 4-A Woman Recruit Battalion at Parris Island.  

At boot camp, there were no weapons or defense training.  The Battalion required gas attack training and Mary hated it!  The worst part was underwater drills, as Mary had to swim in a pool and come up for air under a blanket of gas. 

A Clerk Typist at Cherry Point, Mary was near her Marine brother Vern at Camp Lejeune, spending weekends together when they could.  

Vern was scheduled for today’s flight when he passed away on June 3^rd.  Vern will travel in Mary’s heart today.

Donna Laperle

 U.S. Air Force                         1980-1984                     Iraqi Freedom

Army National Guard     1977-1979; 1985-2008

In boot camp at an M-16 briefing, Donna, exhausted from daily 4:00 a.m. 2-mile runs, fell asleep, standing up, and didn’t hear the sergeant holler at her.   

As a Pneudraulic Repairman in Okinawa, Donna worked on AWACS Planes, checking wing-flap shocks for leaks. 

At Travis Air Force Base, Donna maintained KC-10 flying boom air-fueling planes.  

Army National Guard, 2004, Donna was in Kuwait during Iraqi Freedom.  Donna served 32 years for our Country.

Vicky Mangieri

U.S. Air Force                  1983-1992                 Desert Storm                   

Vicky was assigned to administration as a Personnel Specialist stationed at bases Keesler, Tinker, and in Belgium.   Vicky’s favorite part was traveling to Paris, Amsterdam, and Holland on weekends.  

Stationed in Plattsburgh, Vicky was named Strategic Air Command Base Level Personnel Specialist of the Year.  A year later, Vicky was selected as Base Level Technician.   

Vicky was responsible for processing passports to immunizations for all deployed to Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  

Veronica Morrow                        

U.S.  Army                                  1969-1972                                 Vietnam 

Veronica joined the largest group of women recruits to enter military service in the Plattsburgh area.  After basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, Veronica was afraid to sit on a bed for years.  

Veronica could rattle off her serial number during the gas training drills despite fatigue and heat.

In the Women’s Army Corps, Veronica was a Medical Records Specialist in the Women’s Clinic.  No matter how tired Veronica was at the end of the week, she was ready to march on weekends for graduations and other ceremonies. Veronica’s favorite part was the all-women’s marching band.    

Hadee Reynolds  

U.S. Navy               2000-2002                   Iraqi Freedom

Hadee was standing watch in Norfolk, Virginia, when orders came to close the gate; do not let anyone in.  Without a radio, Hadee did not know the cause; she soon learned the Twin Towers had fallen.  It was intense as orders were issued to get all ships out of Port.

As a gunner mate on the USS Arctic, Hadee said they had a 6-month cruise through the Persian Gulf as the ship was scheduled to be decommissioned.

On its last voyage, they stopped at many ports.  Hadee said the most interesting experience was standing watch as the USS Arctic traversed the Suez Canal.

Harold Reynolds

U.S. Air Force                               1973-1974                               Vietnam        

Harold enlisted and attended Boot Camp in San Antonio. Harold trained at Lackland, joining the Air Force Law Enforcement Division.

Harold’s first assignment was walking the flightline perimeter 12-hour shifts for six straight months.  Harold was injured while on duty. After his recovery, he remained in the Law Enforcement Division and learned he would no longer be able to carry a gun.   Harold accepted the option to separate from the Air Force. 

Joanne Reynolds

U.S. Army       1968-1970                     Vietnam

Joanne joined the Army Nurse Corps to finish her nursing education. Joanne was ordered to Vietnam and stationed with the 93rd Evacuation Hospital near Saigon and received soldiers from everywhere.  They always asked first about their brothers. Joanne worked 10–12-hour night shifts in a burn hospital.  On Christmas, Bob Hope visited the hospital. Joanne noticed he was standing under the mistletoe, and he invited her over for a kiss.  

Sent to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Joann completed her tour of duty in labor and delivery, a nice change.

Jane Richards

U.S. Navy 1968-1988 Vietnam

Jane enlisted and went to a female boot camp in Maryland.  Shy and quiet, Jane found the camp challenging.  

Picking the top 1% of females, Jane was the first female to open a Navy Female Brig. Jane didn’t like the stressful, nasty job and was glad the Brig closed.  Jane spent 21 months on Midway Island.  She was sent to Italy and looked forward to a German Octoberfest but was ordered to Fort McClelland, Alabama, for four years.  Jane retired in Hawaii, finishing her career in Communications.  Jane spent 20 years of service to our country.  

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Artwork to be featured on Mayor’s Cup T-shirt, promotional materials

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Several local competitors will join the annual fishing draw with top prize of up to $100K

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Proposed agreement to bring $5B investment to aging infrastructure

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Parade, free concert and fireworks among the downtown festivities

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MYNBC 5 is reporting

NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul will attend the funeral of Peru resident and New York State Police Capt. Christopher Garrow, who will be laid to rest on Friday in Plattsburgh.

Hochul has also ordered all flags on state buildings to be flown at half-staff on Thursday, June 15 and Friday, June 16, in Garrow’s honor.

North Country sees 34 new additions to Troop B with several local graduates

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Peru native, Marine veteran and NYSP captain to be honored statewide

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