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The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.

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The Peru Gazette welcomes comments on posted stories. The author MUST include his/her first and last name. No  foul or libelous language permitted. The Peru Gazette reserves the right to not publish a comment.

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Champlain Area Trails Attracts Dedicated Volunteers from Across North America

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Champlain Area Trails (CATS), an accredited land trust, hosted 15 volunteers from as far as Georgia, Virginia, and Illinois during the first week of October to improve trails at the SUNY Plattsburgh’s Twin Valley Outdoor Education Center in Essex/Lewis, New York. The volunteers participated through the American Hiking Society’s Volunteer Vacation program, which provides all-inclusive trips for volunteers to help maintain and build trails.

For many, this was their second or third time volunteering with CATS through the program. “The teamwork and fall colors of the Adirondacks keep bringing me back,” said Anthony Quinn, a volunteer from Vermont. “CATS’ mission to connect people with nature and promote recreation is inspiring.”

Since 2009, CATS has created 78 miles of trails, protected 983 acres of land, and hosted hundreds of hikes, outdoor education events, and volunteer activities. The organization attracts thousands of visitors each year to experience the natural beauty of the Champlain Valley.

“We are grateful for the dedication of volunteers who travel from near and far to help improve our trails and keep them safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all,” said Chris Maron, Executive Director at CATS. “Their work is instrumental in helping us achieve our mission of making trails, saving land, connecting people with nature, and promoting economic vitality in the Champlain Valley.”

The volunteers worked for a week at Twin Valleys, clearing brush, removing fallen branches, creating a new connector trail at Whipple Mountain, and beginning a trail going to a viewpoint on Payne Mountain. In addition to the trail work, the volunteers enjoyed the area’s scenic vistas, fall foliage, and outdoor recreational opportunities that CATS works to protect and promote access to.

“The Adirondacks in the fall are stunning,” said Dan Greenberg, a first-time volunteer from Raleigh, North Carolina. “Knowing I’m helping to maintain access to this natural beauty for others to enjoy makes the trip especially rewarding.”

CATS hosts volunteer activities, public hikes, outdoor education programs, and special events encouraging community members and visitors to enjoy the Champlain Valley’s forests, fields, and scenic vistas. Engaging their participation helps support its work to provide healthy outdoor recreation in the Champlain Valley. You can visit CATS’ calendar of events and support its mission of protecting land and making trails by visiting champlainareatrails.com

Saranac Lake celebrates grand reopening of Civic Center

The public is invited to this free event

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

NCPR Reports: Wilmington receives state grant for townhouse development amidst housing shortage

the townhouses will be rented to families who make at or below 80 percent of the county’s median income, which is about $80,000 a year.

Click here for the NCPR story

Nurse Honored for Comforting a Grieving Family Lee-Ann LaBombard, RN, Receives CVPH’s First DAISY Leader Award

PLATTSBURGH, NY (10/11/2023) – A Nurse who provided compassion and comfort to the grieving family of a North Country icon has been honored as the first recipient of The DAISY Nurse Leader Award at The University of Vermont Health Network-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH). Lee-Ann LaBombard, RN, was presented the award recently during a surprise ceremony with her colleagues at the hospital.

LaBombard was nominated by Ashley Pray, a granddaughter of the late North Country trailblazer and founder of Rulfs Orchard in Peru, Bob Rulfs.

“Lee-Ann has such a helpful, kind, and above all else, a caring demeanor about her,” Richner wrote in her nomination.

She came to know LaBombard after getting the devastating news in June 2022 that her beloved grandfather was admitted to CVPH and was not expected to make it. Richner rushed to the hospital to be with “Grandpa Bob” and met up with a large contingent of family already there.

“Our family is quite large. My grandparents had four children, and then there are 12 grandchildren. So you can imagine we can be quite the crowd when gathered together,” Richner says.

Many of the family members came together at the entrance next to the Emergency Department. But it wasn’t an area that was conducive to privacy. And it wasn’t nearly as close as Richner and the rest of the Rulfs family wanted to be to their legendary loved one. At that time, COVID visitor protocols were in place but the CVPH Welcome Policy offered some flexibility to care teams to accommodate families during the last hours of their loved ones’ lives.

That’s where LaBombard, as a Patient Advocate Manager, came in. Richner contacted LaBombard, explaining the situation and the hope that the family could be closer to Rulfs as he received end-of-life care. After speaking to his doctors and the nursing unit’s leadership team, LaBombard opened up the solarium to the family.

“Lee-Ann went with us up to the floor and made sure that we were settled and as close to my grandfather’s room as we could be,” Richner recalls.

LaBombard, a registered nurse, requested a Comfort Cart for the family, so they had some light refreshments and continued checking in with Richner and other family members to ensure they had what they needed.

“I am and will be forever grateful for Lee-Ann and everything she did for our family. She made sure that I could be close to my grandfather during his final hours with us,” Richner adds. “Lee-Ann was a comfort for us during a very sad time for our family.”

“Everyone who ever met Grandpa Bob at Rulfs has a memory of him, from visiting him at the orchard to kids taking field trips there and picking pumpkins,” she continues. “I think the community would be happy and thankful to know that Lee-Ann made it possible for Grandpa to have his family with him during his final time on earth.”

LaBombard was presented with a certificate commending her as an extraordinary nurse leader during the award presentation. Like all honorees, she also received a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

CVPH launched the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in 2018 as a way to recognize and reward licensed nurses for making a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients. This year, the hospital has added the DAISY Awards to recognize nurse leaders and nurse-led teams. Nomination forms and boxes are located at each of the hospital’s main entrances and online at UVMHealth.org/CVPHDaisy. Patients, families, and colleagues may nominate nurses. A committee reviews nominations and awards a deserving nurse each quarter, a nurse leader twice a year and a nurse-led team annually.

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System). The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. More information is available at DAISYfoundation.org.

Editor’s Note. The CVPH new releases initially stated that Ashley Richner nominated Lee-Ann Labombard. They later corrected it to read Ashley Pray.

NBC5 Reports: NBC5 Play of the Week (Oct. 9th thru 12th)

A great game between Peru and Plattsburgh highlights the latest NBC5 Play of the Week

 

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Community members react to recent Plattsburgh vandalism incidents

Graffiti was found throughout various notable locations in the Lake City

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Peru Fire Dept. honors two long-standing members

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Burlington declares public health crisis in response to substance use

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

CDC is no longer distributing COVID-19 vaccination cards, once a staple of the pandemic

Click here for the MYNBC story

St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen menu for Wednesday. Oct. 11, 2023

Shepherd’s Pie
Coleslaw
Fruit
Dessert
Served take-out only, 4:30 to 5:30 pm at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru, NY 12972.
All are Welcome!

SUNY COBLESKILL’S NIK RECORE NAMED NORTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER-OF-THE-WEEK

Waterville, Maine: The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) announced today that SUNY Cobleskill sophomore men’s cross country runner Nik Recore, Peru, N.Y., Peru High School, has been named the NAC Men’s Cross Country Runner-of-the-Week for the week ending October 8, 2023.

The Fighting Tiger team captain was the team’s top finisher at the 2023 Hamilton College Invitational on Saturday placing 17th overall in a 77-runner field by covering a soggy 8000-meter course in a time of 28:38.6 to lead Cobleskill to a fifth place finish in an eight-team field at the event.

Cobleskill will next be in action on Saturday October 14 when they travel to Springfield, Ma. to compete at the 2023 Golden Bear Invitational hosted by Western New England University beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Peru Town Market reschedules to Sunday, Oct. 22

Well friends, October is already here and that means it’s the last Peru Town Market of the season. Make sure to join us on Sunday, October 22nd as we say goodbye to our 2023 season.
The Meadow Farmstead will be joining us for the farewell, ready to share their fall harvest. Make sure to swing by and grab all of their delicious fresh and locally grown goodness.

NCPR Reports: Off the wall: a new mural in Ausable Forks

Click here for the NCPR story 

Renowned Alexander String Quartet Performs in Saranac on October 15

The Alexander String Quartet stands among the world’s premier ensembles, having performed in the major music capitals of five continents. The quartet is a vital artistic presence in its home base of San Francisco, serving since 1989 as Ensemble-in-Residence of San Francisco Performances. Widely admired for its interpretations of Beethoven, Mozart, and Shostakovich, the quartet’s recordings have won international critical acclaim. 

Founded in New York City in 1981, the ensemble quickly captured attention, initially winning the Concert Artists Guild Competition in 1982, and then becoming the first American quartet to win the London (now Wigmore) International String Quartet Competition in 1985. The members of the Alexander String Quartet are recipients of honorary degrees from Allegheny College and St. Lawrence University, and Presidential medals from Baruch College (CUNY).

The Alexander String Quartet has performed at Lincoln Center, the 92nd Street Y, the Metropolitan Museum, Jordan Hall, the Library of Congress, and appeared as guests at universities including Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Lewis & Clark, and UCLA. Numerous overseas tours include the U.K., Czech Republic, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, France, Greece, Republic of Georgia, Argentina, Panamá, and the Philippines. Their visit to Poland’s Beethoven Easter Festival is beautifully captured in the 2017 award-winning documentary, Con Moto: The Alexander String Quartet.

The Alexander String Quartet performs at the historic Saranac Methodist Church on Route 3 in Saranac on Sunday, October 15 at 3:00 pm.  The program features masterpieces from the first half of the 20th century: Jean Sibelius’s String Quartet in D minor, Op. 56 “Voces Intimae” (1908-9) and Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68 (1944) plus a contemporary work by British-American composer Tarik O’Regan: Gradual (2016, rev. 2022).

General admission at the door is $20; seniors and students $15; children under 12 free; family rate available.  Current public health guidelines are followed. For further information telephone 518-293-7613, e-mail ambrown.hillholl@gmail.com or visit hillandhollowmusic.org

A Concert of Music About Animals to benefit Elmore SPCA

Sun Community News: Rev. Ken Parker founds Second Sunrise, a place to heal

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Two running for Clinton County Family Court Judge seat

Election Day is Nov. 7

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Price of a Forever stamp is going up. Here’s how much they will cost in January

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Harkness: Chicken & Biscuit Dinner, Sunday Oct. 15, (Take-Out Only)

High water in area streams follows or more inches of rain on Saturday, Oct. 7. Here’s Ausable Chasm at 2:20 p.m. on Oct. 9.

26-second video 

Peru Blood Drive begins at 3:30 p.m. today. Donate and make your holiday exceptional!

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive, Monday, October 9, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru. 

All blood collected is utilized in our local trl-county region.  Your neighbors appreciate and need your support. 

The blood drive is coordinated by St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273. 

Veteran biographies and photos – North Country Honor Flight #51 of October 7, 2023

Biographies compiled by Honor Flight Operations Director Janet Duprey

Stanley Bilow – U.S. Air Force 1964-1967 Vietnam

Encouraged by a buddy, Stanley enlisted a month after him. Stan’s basic training was at Lackland Air Force Base, followed by Air Police K-9 training. Stan was assigned to Plattsburgh Air Force Base, working on the flight line. Stan was then sent TDY to England, where he worked on missiles.

Ordered to Vietnam, Stan’s first dog was sent before him, as Stan arrived with a different dog. By chance, Stan met up with his buddy, who was leaving. Stan was off duty one night when a rocket hit in front of the barracks claiming the life of a friend. Some memories last forever.

David Blades – U.S. Marine Corps 1963-1967 Vietnam

David enlisted and chose the Marine Corps because he liked the sexy uniforms.  At basic training, Dave and a high-school classmate were assigned to 241st Platoon. Dave went on to Infantry Training at Camp Lejeune, then to Cherry Point Marine Air Group Logistics.

Sent to Vietnam, Dave, a Logistics Specialist, joined the Helicopter Air Group 16, continuing that support in Diago, Chile. Dave’s last assignment was a “Casual Company Unit” at Parris Island.  Dave traveled to Pearl Harbor and received several commendation medals for his service.

James Devan – U.S. Marine Corps 1967-1968 Vietnam

Jimmy had basic training at Parris Island, Infantry Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, and Jungle Warfare Training at Camp Pendleton. Sent to Vietnam, Jimmy, a rifleman, joined the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Charlie Company. Headed to Hill 10 in Da Nang, Jimmy was wounded on patrol. A booby-trap explosion destroyed Jimmy’s eyesight and inflicted severe injuries, requiring many back-and-forth transports between the Da Nang Hospital and the USS Sanctuary.

Jimmy received a Purple Heart and several awards for his valor, saying he’d do it all over again.  Jimmy’s wife says he helps at home but can’t weed-whack near her flowers.

Deborah Flagg – U.S. Army 1962-1968 Vietnam

Debbie’s father served 21 years in both WW II and Korea, leaving a powerful impression on her. As an ‘Army Brat’, Debbie learned to adapt to change and take advantage of youthful experiences. Before basic training, a local paper printed a photo of Debbie and her father.

At Fort Benjamin, Debbie trained in finance and accounting. Debbie went to California and then enjoyed Germany. Debbie traveled to Spain and France and loved the people, food, and beer! Returning to Fort Benjamin, Debbie trained as a legal clerk. At Fort Gordon, a compassion transfer ended Debbie’s hope of a military career.

Samuel Gangi – U.S. Marine Corps 1966-1968 Vietnam

Sam and a friend, Joe, planned to join the Navy. Sam developed “white coat disease’; when doctors took his blood pressure, it went way up. A nurse, no ‘white coat’, took his pressure; it was accepted. Joe was in the Navy; Sam joined the Marines. Sam had basic training at Parris Island, on to Camp Geiger for Infantry and Mechanic School training. After leaving Pearl Harbor and Okinawa, Sam was sent to Vietnam to serve with the 2nd Division 8th Battalion. Sam keeps his memories private.

Enlisting, Sam asked his father about marriage; his dad’s advice was ‘wait until you return.” While in service, Sam got a tattoo named Loretta whom he married when he returned home.

Ralph Hartmann – U.S. Air Force 1968-1988 Vietnam

In 1970, Ralph was deployed to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base. It was a busy base with jets taking off and landing as the ground crew worked 12-hour days, 6 -1/2 days a week.

Ralph was a Parachute Rigger and Ejection Seat Specialist. A pilot used Ralph’s parachute to eject the seat and release the parachute. The grateful pilot presented Ralph with a bottle of Jim Beam – a nice gift.

One of Ralph’s favorite memories is attending the spectacular 1971 Bob Hope USO Christmas Eve show.  Ralph retired from Plattsburgh Air Force Base after 20 years of service to our Country.

Winfred (Butch) Hodil – U.S. Air Force 1966-1974 Vietnam

Winfred, known as Butch, enlisted at 18, went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and set his path in Fireman training. Butch served as a Fire Protection Specialist and Fire Protection Supervisor at home and in the military.

Butch had a scary encounter in Vietnam as he jumped to safety, avoiding being shot by a Vietnamese guard. Back stateside, Butch went to a Navy Base in Maine, California, Niagara Falls, Alaska, finishing his military career at Plattsburgh Air Force Base.

Stephen Lavier – U.S. Army 1965-1968 Vietnam 

Influenced by his father’s 27-year military career, Steve, age 18, graduated from high school in New York City and enlisted.  After basic training at Fort Dix, Steve went to Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, Denver, where he trained as a Medical Equipment Repairman. Then, at Fort Leonard Wood, Steve worked on a mobile hospital setup, responsible for keeping every piece of equipment running.

Sent to Vietnam, Steve’s prior training was essential as he joined a MASH Unit that kept Steve very busy fixing equipment due to power surges caused by big generators.

Reinaldo (Ray) Lizardi – U.S. Air Force 1955-1980 Vietnam

Leaving the University of Puerto Rico, Ray, 18, enlisted. Ray completed training and positions: Security Police Tactical Course, Electronics Fundamental Review Course, Airborne Recon Specialist, and Security Police Superintendent. Ray served at Air Bases in Georgia, Plattsburgh, South Carolina, California, and Arizona, and abroad in Panama, Libya, Thailand, Vietnam, and, least favorite, Turkey.

Ray retired after 25 years of service to our Country. Stationed at Plattsburgh, Ray met the love of his life. On September 17th, 2023, Ray and Judy celebrated 63 years of marriage.

Kenneth Marshall – U.S. Navy 1970-1974 Vietnam

With a draft number of 13, Ken enlisted. Completing basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station, Ken says it was the most fun.

With no assignment aboard a ship, Ken had on-the-job training, learning from Plane handlers to Crash Crew, Fireman training, and Welding School.

Ken boarded the USS Forestal CVA-59, traveling to Malta, Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Africa, where they rescued people from a typhoon. The ship supported Vietnam with medical facilities for rescue and body returns. Ken spent most of his service on foreign seas, saying every day on a ship deck is hazardous.

Richard (Marty) McCalvin Jr. – U.S. Army 1964-1966 Vietnam

After two years of college, Marty was drafted. At basic training lineup, a casual question: who has a dog at home? Marty was sent to Military Police Training and assigned as a Dog Handler.

The dog handlers arrived in Vietnam with 250 dogs; no one knew they were coming. A tent area was set up for the dogs. Soldiers were told to find their own place to sleep.

Marty stepped on the dog’s paw on guard duty with his dog, too dark to see. The dog bit Marty in the crotch. Marty continued to walk his post for 4 hours with blood running down his legs. OUCH.

John McDonald – U.S. Marine Corps 1961-1967 Vietnam

At 17, John’s parents refused to sign enlistment papers. John was assigned as a Machine Gunner at Parris Island a year later. After basic training, John attended sea school aboard a ship and learned to fire the big guns.

John served under three and 4-Star Admirals and a 3-Star Marine General at a top-secret base. He was sent to Cuba to guard the perimeter fence line and then sent by ship to Santo Domino Harbor during an uprising to protect American lives and property in the Dominican Republic. Assigned to a NATO ship, John traveled to England, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Germany. One night, while singing the Marine Corps Hymn in a barroom, John was arrested. As fate would have it, in civilian life, John became a New York City Police Officer.

John Nailor – U.S. Marine Corps 1964-1967 Vietnam

John enlisted, went to boot camp at Parris Island, and trained as a Field Radio Operator.

In Vietnam, John joined the 5th Battalion 7th Marine Regiment. John was assigned to Emergency Medical Evacuations of wounded and killed-in-action soldiers requiring quick in and quick out action. John, at 5’5″, was assigned as a tunnel rat. With a rope tied around his ankle, John entered the tunnels, told to destroy tunnels, gather intelligence, and kill or capture the occupants, often in close combat. The tunnel conditions were extremely dangerous.

In Guam, on his way home, John had $1,500. He ordered steak and enjoyed five pineapple drinks. In the morning, John had 15 cents in his pocket and no shoes. John was told he had a good time.

Joseph Purtell – U.S. Marine Corp 1965-1967 Vietnam, U.S. Air Force 1967 -1991

Three generations of his military families inspired Joe. Joe went for basic training at Parris Island; the drill instructor said, “95% of you will be dead in a year”.

Leaving the Marine Corps, Joe joined the Air Force, receiving advanced management and accounting training. As a Financial Management Service Supervisor, Joe set up base operations. Every two weeks, Joe flew to Egypt. Although he was not the highest-ranking officer, the Egyptians would only work with Joe, the ‘money guy.’ Joe was awarded many commendations when he retired after 26 years of service to our Country.

Here are the deserving vererans who flew on North County Honor Flight #50 of October 7, 2023

Biographies compiled by Honor Flight Operations Director Janet Duprey

Gary Barcomb – U.S. Air Force 1958-1962 Cold War

Suffering the death of his brother in a car accident, Gary, age 17, enlisted. In basic training at Fort Dix, Gary joined the Security Detail guarding Elvis Presley. Gary trained at Fort Gordon in Military Police and Security.

Sent to Germany, Gary met his future wife. Needing approval to marry took six months of red tape, including a letter to the Pope. On their wedding day, Gary and Gisela had three ceremonies: Catholic, Base and Burgermeister. That’s really getting married as they celebrate 65 years of marriage. Returning stateside, the Cuban Missile Crisis delayed Gary’s discharge by two weeks.

Lawrence DeGroff – U.S. Air Force 1966-1970 Vietnam

At age 19, Larry enlisted, completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. Assigned to Cape Charles Air Force Base Station, Larry trained in welding, a skill that served him well in civilian life.

Larry mainly worked at night when sent to Da Nang Air Force Base in Vietnam. Larry’s memories remain private about his time in Vietnam. Larry recalls a sergeant and two Privates shot on their way home. Larry remembers Vietnamese kitchen workers used their hands to pull garbage out to feed their families. Larry completed his service at Whiteman Air Force Base. Larry said cherry bombs at 20 cents each couldn’t get him in trouble.

Thomas Forgatch – U.S. Navy 1965-1969 Cold War

Tom enlisted in the Navy, going to basic training at Great Lakes. Upon recovery from two months of pneumonia, Tom went to Norfolk Naval Base for Air Carrier Deck Experience on the USS Independence. Tom volunteered for the ‘best duty’ patrol squad in Brunswick, Maine.

Tom alternated between Iceland (cold) and the Azores (warm) for almost three years. On ten 12-hour shifts, Tom documented icebergs tracking nuclear submarines and ships. Once, his aircraft received a warning that the enemy had “locked on” his aircraft. The plane descended within 200 feet of the water to avoid enemy missile strikes.  

Ronald Fox – U.S. Air Force 1963-1967 Cold War

Enlisting at age 17, Ron had basic training at Lackland, followed by Aircraft Mechanic Training in Amarillo, Texas. On the second day, the base locked down when President Kennedy was assassinated.

At Sheppard Air Force Base, protesters fired rounds into the base. Ron was a B-52 Assistant Crew Chief at Plattsburgh Air Force Base. In Operation Chrome Dome, flying over Alaska, Ron was in a B-52 Strategic Bomber Aircraft armed with thermonuclear weapons.   The Chief shut down TV and lights out at 10 p.m. Ron put a horned toad in the Chief’s bed; a scream followed. The next day, they spent cleaning the flight line.

Richard Godfrey, Jr. – U.S. Air Force 1947-1953 Korean

Richard enlisted and was sent to Lackland Air Force Base for basic training in refrigeration, gas, oxygen, and acetylene generators.

Ordered to the Philippines, Dick was sent to Korea. With no work assignment, the Air Force searched for him in the Philippines. Dick was in a tent three miles from the front line. One night Dick was hungry, so he walked a mile to the mess hall. Upon return, Dick found the tent destroyed by mortar explosives, killing his mates.

In temporary barracks, a 2nd Lieutenant arrived. He and Dick took off in a B-25, lost an engine, and soon lost the second engine. He grabbed a radio and located the raft in the Pacific in 4 to 5-foot swells. Finally, at his assignment, Dick, riding in the back of a truck hit by machine gun fire, threw him into a rice paddy, severely injuring his legs.

Dick’s best adventure in the Philippines was meeting and marrying his beautiful wife, Sally.

Lincoln King – U.S. Army 1959-1962 Vietnam

Lincoln enlisted in the Army to avoid the draft to keep his feet on the ground. Of course, the Army sent him aboard ship for 24 days.

Lincoln traveled by bus, train, and plane a day after leaving home. On the way to basic training, he met a couple of locals. While on leave, the group missed a flight to Fort Lewis; Lincoln, Private First Class in charge, had to make up a day.

Sent to Korea, Lincoln also traveled to Japan. Returning stateside, Lincoln served the rest of his time at Fort Devens. Lincoln’s best day was October 26, 1962, discharge day. But Lincoln said the salmon missing in Seattle get an honorary mention.

Walter Kotzur – U.S. Air Force 1963-1992 Vietnam

Ordered to Vietnam, Walter told his bride he’d see her in a year. In his first year, Walt flew over 200 missions as all his MOS assignments were with bombs: Weapons Mechanic, Gunner, Weapons Maintenance Technician, Weapons Maintenance Superintendent, and Aircraft Armament Manager. In Jungle Survival Training, Walt was dropped with a parachute, canteen, and manchette; given 12 hours to avoid capture by Negrito natives; capture was not an option; on his way back to base camp, he slept in a tree. Walt trained in a Prisoner of War camp for survival, evasion, resistance, and escape.

Walt received high-level awards: Distinguished Flying Cross with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with Eight Oak Leaf Clusters and too many to mention. For years Walt did not allow Vietnam material in his home until his son Eric found a 1966 Time Life magazine and asked his dad if that was his picture. Eric is proud to be the guardian of his dad on today’s flight. At the Wall, Walter, with a special place in his heart, will honor 87 veterans, including 42 killed when they served together in Vietnam.

Robert Manchester – U.S. Air Force 1968-1988 Vietnam

Robert enlisted and was assigned to aircraft maintenance. Leaving Loring Air Force Base, Bob volunteered for hazardous duty in Thailand.

Bob and his family were stationed in Guam during the evacuation of Vietnamese who lived in Quonset huts in a fenced-in area. They stared at blond, blue-eyed children.

After time in Spain and England, Bob reenlisted while in Maine, moving on to Plattsburgh Air Force Base. Bob’s duties were towing, refueling, fixing engines, and working on the alert pad. For five years, Bob’s family celebrated Thanksgiving dinner on the runway.

Paul McGee – U.S. Navy 1955-1958 Korean

Paul was hungry and decided to join the Navy. Paul took his oath two hours before the war ended. At boot camp in San Diego, Paul slept on an Army cot in a gymnasium. Assigned to the USS Philip, Paul had on-the-job training. Assigned to the USS Fechteler, the 7th Fleet cruised in the Far East, serving the Taiwan Patrol, a carrier task force radar warning ship.

After the USS America, Paul finished with the USS Gurke. Paul traveled the world, including the Hawaiian Islands, Midway Island, Japan, Okinawa, Formosa, Hong Kong, Guam, American Samoa, Acapulco, Panama, Lima, and his favorites, New Zealand and Chile. On leave, Paul rented a surfboard to catch the big wave. Instead, he caught a mouth full of sand as the board beat him back to shore. Paul ended his surfing career and headed to the safety of a bar.

Joseph McNichols – U.S. Air Force 1970-1996 Vietnam

Joe graduated from college and was drafted. After Officer School, Joe attended C-130 Pilot basic and specialized Mission Training, followed by Survival and Jungle Schools.

Joe was assigned to Tan San Nhut Air Force Base, Vietnam, as President Nixon pulled 10,000 troops, sending Joe to Taiwan. After 330 hours of flight time in Vietnam, Joe had a day or two in Tawain. Joe landed in “places that didn’t exist and situations that never happened.” Sent to pick up Marines, B-52s bombed both the airways; the plane landed, and the Marines jumped on.

Assigned to fly Bob Hope, Joe regrets his roommate flew Rachel Welch, Suzanne Pleshette, and Joey Heatherton. Doesn’t seem fair!

After 18 ½ years at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Joe spent two years in D.C., consolidating 13 federal agencies into the National Intelligence Agency. Joe landed in Vietnam when his daughter turned five months old. Jennifer is her proud dad’s guardian.

Amos Ploufe – U.S. Army 1955-1958 Korean

Amos, known as Gus, left school after 8th grade and worked in the mines. Gus enlisted, went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, then infantry training at Fort Dix. A bad knee kept Gus from his desired airborne division.

Gus went to England, France, and Germany. In Newberry, England, with the 801st Engineer Aviation Battalion, Gus participated in rebuilding the airbase. While in England, Gus met his future wife, Sandra. Gus needed Army approval to marry, and approvals were rare. With access to the CQ stamp of approval, Gus got around the red tape. No one noticed the marriage license had no signature. Gus lost a stripe, but Gus and Sandra celebrated 66 years of marriage this year. After returning home, Gus served 27 years in the National Guard, retiring at the age of 60.

Donald Thornton – U.S. Army 1955-1957 Cold War

Don’s friend Bob Duquette said, “Let’s join the Army.” Don wanted a different direction in life and was on board.

At Fort Knox, Don completed basic, tank and intelligence training.

Don volunteered for an assignment in the Far East. Stationed at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with the 21st Infantry Regiment, a group of tanks ran into a North Korean outpost. Don, on the last tank, quickly turned around and got out. After a year of running through rice paddy fields, Don had no appetite for eating rice. Six years later, Don was notified to prepare for a Cuban invasion. Thankfully, it was averted.

Robert Wolstenholme – U.S. Army 1966-1972 Vietnam

After graduating from college with a degree in Biology, Rob was drafted into the Army. At Fort Dix, Rob scored 3rd out of 1,000 on a science exam and was assigned to Fort Baker, 6th Army Medical Lab Division.

In the Lab, Rob processed specimens, including animals, urine, and blood.

A crew would go to a Russian “fishing vessel” to provide medical care, ignoring communication equipment to be addressed by another division.

Rob was influenced by his grandfather, a State Assemblyman. The meanest person Rob met in the military was the Selective Service lady.

 

Stephen Wood – U.S. Air Force 1968-1988 Cold War

Stephen went to basic training at Lackland and AIT at Chanute for missile technician training. Steve was the ‘Rocket Man’!

Steve moved around the country assigned to Air Force Bases: Grand Forks, North Dakota (twice); Ramey, Puerto Rico; Ellsworth, South Dakota; Robins, Georgia; Pease, New Hampshire; ended in Plattsburgh.

Steve deployed for two TDY simulations in Missouri and Texas. Steve flew as a B-52 simulation crew member using a bare base for training and preparations. Retiring after 20 years of service, Steve said, “I’m packing up and heading south;” instead, he stayed in the warmth of his family.

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