Schmitt hosts 99th Assembly District Veteran's Hall of Fame Ceremony

Posted 3/9/22

Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt (R,C, - New Windsor) recently hosted the 2nd Annual Veterans Hall of Fame Ceremony for the 99th Assembly District. The ceremony honored local residents from towns and …

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Schmitt hosts 99th Assembly District Veteran's Hall of Fame Ceremony

Posted

Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt (R,C, - New Windsor) recently hosted the 2nd Annual Veterans Hall of Fame Ceremony for the 99th Assembly District. The ceremony honored local residents from towns and villages across the 99th Assembly District who faithfully served our nation in the military and who are heroes in our communities.

Upon completion of each ceremony, each new inductee is added to the Traveling Wall of Honor. The wall, constructed by Carpenters Local 279, travels across the 99th Assembly District year-round, reaching all corners of the district for community members to see.

The ceremony was held in the auditorium at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center where friends and families of the honorees, along with local community leaders, elected officials, and residents, attended to honor the men and women who had been nominated by their communities.

 “It is incredibly important to honor and recognize the military veteran heroes of our community that selflessly served our nation and have sacrificed so much for our freedoms," Schmitt said. " It was an honor to host this event for all members of the community to join with us in giving our heroes from the 99th Assembly District their well-deserved and hard-earned recognition. It is my pleasure to have introduced the public to our newly inducted class of honorees for the Veterans Hall of Fame.”

Town of Blooming Grove: George Bates Jr. (U.S. Army)

George Bates Jr. was drafted into the United States Army two days after his 20th birthday. He obtained the rank of Army Staff Sergeant, E-6. George says, “those who I was deployed with are my family, my brothers." George was deployed to Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

When George returned, three days after being home he returned to civilian life in the States. He began working for the New York Telephone Company (NYTel) which then became AT&T.

George and his wife Carol have been married for 52 years and they have a son and daughter, Brian and Jennifer, and 4 grandchildren. George has been a member of the Washingtonville Fire Department for more than 30 years, is a car enthusiast, and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Village of Chester: Ed Johnson (U.S. Navy)

Ed Johnson enlisted in the United States Navy because he wanted to serve his country rather than attend a collegiate institution. He obtained the rank of E-6 and his specialty was as a System Organizational Maintenance Technician and Turbo Engine and Series Propeller Mechanic.

Ed was awarded several commendations, the NAVY Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service medal. During his time serving our country, he was deployed to many locations; including Iceland, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. 

Ed is married to Chris and together they have two kids, Ryan and Amanda. After returning home, he took on the role of General Manager at Doc’s Autobody Shop. During his spare time, he loves to stay healthy and active playing sports such as golf. Ed also serves as the Commander of American Legion Orange Blossom Post 1167.

Town of Chester: Antonio Ardisana (U.S. Navy)

Antonio Ardisana and his wife Milly, residents of the Town of Chester, have two sons; Karl and James, and together they have five grandchildren. Antonio joined the United States Navy in 2011 following the attacks on September 11, 2001. He felt driven to enlist and served his country honorably. Antonio served as Lieutenant Commander for more than ten years and recently retired from service. With Antonio's dedicated service, he received the Navy/Marine Corp Service Award.

In his civilian life, Antonio is a dentist and serves as a Councilman to the Town of Chester. Antonio also enjoys a yearly trip to Parris Island, giving him an opportunity to see men and women serving their country.

Village of Cornwall-On-Hudson and Town of Cornwall: Christopher Paul Meyer (U.S. Army/Army National Guard)

Christopher Paul Meyer grew up in NYC, and joined the United States Army Reserves and National Guard as he wanted to serve his country “in a time of war." He served overseas for a period of 14 years in both Afghanistan along with East and Central Africa in 3 separate operations: Operation Resolute Support, also known as Operation Freedom Sentinel, Operation Oak and Steel, and Operation Observant Compass.

Obtaining the rank of an E-6 Staff Sergeant, Christopher received a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and many other decorations.

Christopher founded VetRep, a non-profit playwright theater that brings together talented veterans and world-class artists. Today, he is married to his wife Jane, and together they have a son, Grayson.

Village of Goshen: Michael J. Donovan (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Mike Donovan graduated from Goshen Central High School and received degrees from Clarkson University, Georgia Tech, and a Masters in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. Michael served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers as a Colonel. He is the 3rd generation of his family to serve in the United States Military. His uncle, Joseph Donovan was previously inducted into the 99th Assembly District Veterans Hall of Fame. 

Mike served abroad in the former Yugoslavia Republic, Macedonia, Bosnia, Germany, Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guyana, Ecuador, and Baghdad during the Iraq War. Mike is a decorated Veteran, having received the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and he is a member of the US Army Officer Candidate Hall of Fame.

Mike and his wife Anne have three boys; Andrew, Timothy, and John. He is a grandfather to James, with a granddaughter on the way.

 

Town of Goshen: Doug Bloomfield (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Doug Bloomfield graduated from Goshen High school, then attended college at the University of West Virginia. In college, Doug joined the ROTC before joining the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. Doug was ranked, 2nd lieutenant. He served 2 years in Germany and served in the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1967 as a company commander during the Tet Offensive. He was awarded a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal.

Doug is predeceased by his wife Barbara and together they had one daughter, Amanda. He is a grandfather to Virginia, Preston, Max, and Hope.  When Doug returned home to civilian life, he was hired as a management trainee for DuPont Chemical Company.

Doug served as the Town Supervisor of Goshen for 16 years. He was the 2nd longest seated Supervisor for the town since 1891 and now serves as a Goshen Town Councilman.

Village of Highland Falls: Thomas Pitt (U.S. Marine Corps)

Tom Pitt enlisted into the United States Marine Corps immediately after high school as he wanted to serve his country when someone he had known was killed in Vietnam. Tom served from 1977 to 1983. He was stationed at the Marine Barrack in Rota, Spain from 1977 to 1979. Following this, he was stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA from January 1980 to 1983 before being deployed to Okinawa, Japan two times from March 1981 to September 1981 and March 1983 to September 1983. Tom attained the rank of Corporal, earning the Navy Achievement Medal and Good Conduct Medals.

Upon returning home, Tom attended the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Academy. He continued his public service as a police officer for more than 23 years. He and his wife Mary-Jane have children; Courtney, Kaitlin, and Hannah, and he has a grandson Thomas.

Town of Highlands: Bob Livsey (U.S. Army)

Bob Livsey graduated from high school at the age of 17, then enlisted in the United States Army. At the age of 18, Bob was sent to Germany from 1957 to 1961, Texas to Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Germany from 1963 to 1965, and Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 during the Tet Offensive. Bob obtained the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7). He’s decorated with the Sharpshooter Badge Rifle, Army Commendation Medal from West Point, Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals. 

Bob is married to his wife Mary and together they had 2 children, Mervin and Roswitha. He is pre-deceased by his daughter, and his brother Richard, a Marine Corps recruiter and he is a happy grandfather to Shannon. 

For 52 years, Bob has owned and operated “Richie’s Little Place" and has served as the Town Supervisor for the Town of Highlands for the last 18 years.

Town of New Windsor: Jack Powell (U.S. Army)

Jack Powell grew up in the City of Newburgh and attended Orange County Community College for 2 years. He was drafted into the United States Army in October of 1972. Jack attended basic training in Fort Dix, NJ, before then attending military police school in Fort Gordon, GA. He was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany from March 1973 to August 1975. Jack held the rank of a SPEC 4 and during his time in service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal.

After returning home, Jack became a policeman. Today, he is the owner of a tree servicing company called “Jack Powell Tree Service.” He also served as the past Commander of New Windsor American Legion Post 1796 for 6 years and now serves as Vice Commander. 

In his free time, Jack enjoys spending time outdoors. He is the proud father of 2 sons, Joshua and Jordan, and is an active member of his community.

Town of Stony Point: Brad Conklin (U.S. Army)

Brad Conklin enlisted in the US Army in January 1969 wanting to serve his country. When Brad left, he met his now-brother-in-law Robert, and they attended BCT and AIT training together. Robert introduced him to his wife, Diane. He served overseas in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971, obtaining the rank of Army Specialist 5th Class. Brad received 3 commendations, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Brad married his wife Diane in 1972 and they have 2 daughters, Amy and Sarah, and they have 4 grandchildren. He began working for his father’s landscaping business before working for 28 years at Orange and Rockland.

Brad is a Trustee of the First United Methodist Church in Stony Point, Stony Point Town Historian, and Chairman of the Historical Society of the Palisades Interstate Park region.

Village of Washingtonville: Harold Steinberger (U.S. Navy)

Harold Steinberger is a United States Navy veteran who enlisted following his family tradition of his father and uncles during World War II, and his brother a Marine officer during the Vietnam era. He served in the Vietnam War and was based aboard the U.S.S Enterprise in 1969 and aboard the U.S.S Ranger from 1970 to 1971 as a mechanic for the Attack Squadron 145. Harold obtained the rank of Aviation Machinist 3rd Class and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Medal, and the Gallantry Cross.

Harold worked for the Worldwide Volkswagen Corporation as a special claims adjuster and was promoted to Warranty Customer Relations Manager for the same company covering the Tri-State area.

Harold and his wife Linda have 2 daughters, Nicole and Kimberley, and have 2 grandchildren, Cayden and Kiersten.

Town of Wawayanda: Michael Orlowski (U.S. Air Force/U.S. Navy Reserves)

Michael Orlowski joined the Naval Reserve in High School. After graduating, Mike joined the United States Air Force as an electronics repairman, working on computer systems for the noses of fighter jets. He was deployed to Iceland in July 1958 and attained the rank of M-3 while he served his country. Mike helped a pilot when a plane caught on fire and earned a Good Conduct Service Medal.

Michael moved to the Town of Wawayanda in 1974. Michael and his wife Nora have 6 children, Michael, Donna, Doreen,  Lorraine, Nora, and Debra, and they have 9 grandchildren. He has many hobbies which include painting, woodworking, and creating cribs.

After his service, he was employed under American Machine and Foundry as a wireman; and went on to become an NYPD Police Officer. Mike also served as a Town Councilman for the Town of Wawayanda from 1992 to 1996.

Town and Village of Woodbury: Phillip Morello Sr. (U.S. Army)

Phillip Morello Sr. joined the US Army service in 1966, in which he was drafted with his twin Joseph, a Vietnam veteran. He began his service at Fort Jackson, SC, before transferring to Fort Bliss, TX, as an Air Defense Hawk Missile Tech. He was promoted to the rank of Army Specialist 5th Class and was deployed overseas at the storage depot in Okinawa, Japan for 2 years. While serving his country, Phillip received the Experts and Missiles award, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. 

Phillip was employed with a Fortune 500 company repairing engineering equipment until retirement. He and his wife Rosemarie, raised 5 children, Joseph, Lucianne, Rosemarie, Phillip, and Robert. Phillip is a granddad to 9 grandchildren.

Phillip has spent 38 years with the Woodbury Memorial Day Parade Committee and served for 20 years as Chairman. He was also the Commander of the Woodbury American Legion Post 779 for 9 years.

 

District-Wide Honorees: NAM Knights

The NAM Knights of America Motorcycle Club is an organization within Orange County consisting of 42 active members. NAM Knights Motorcycle Club was founded by Jack Quigley in NJ more than 25 years ago, with 78 chapters spreading across 18 states. Membership includes police officers; active and retired, and Vietnam and other military Veterans.

The NAM Knights organization stands for stressing the importance of assisting fellow Police Officers and family members, the well-being of Veterans, and bringing about awareness to the public about Prisoners of War, and those who are missing in action. 

The NAM Knights play a crucial role in the Orange County area through participation, sponsorship, and fundraising events surrounding issues like PTSD, Hepatitis C, and the studies and treatment of Agent Orange. They are community-driven, showing strong support for local businesses and charities.