Joseph T. Fraccola

Joseph T. Fraccola proudly served his nation upon being drafted into the United States Army in September 1968. A Vietnam War Veteran, recipient of the Purple Heart for wounds received during an enemy rocket attack on the 7th of June, 1969 while serving with Company E Troop Command, 5th Maintenance Battalion, located in the U.S. Armed Forces II Corps Region of South Vietnam. He reached the Rank of SP/5 during his 2 year commitment to the U.S. Draft finishing his duty at Fort Sill, OK. 

Upon completing his military duty with the U.S. Army, he went on to work for the U.S. Postal Service in Utica, NY serving over 36 years, retiring in 2005. While working at the Utica, NY Post Office, he was involved with many U.S. postage veterans’ stamp related events, making presentations and speaking to many veterans’ organizations. Joe co-chaired the Utica Post Office Veterans’ Committee leading to the placement of the “All American Veterans’ Monument” and brick walkway honoring all veterans. He also worked to petition Congress to rename 2 area Post Offices for local soldiers killed in Iraq (U.S. Army CPT George A. Wood-Utica Post Office and U.S. Army CPL. John P. Sigsbee-Waterville Post Offi ce). He also help with placement of the “Gold Star Mothers” Monument located at the Utica Post Office. 

Over the course of the past 10 years Joe has organized an annual “Well-Wish Visit” to Walter Reed National Military Hospital, Fisher Houses and Arlington Cemetery to visit with wounded troops and their families, provide recognition and funding and to pay respects to our departed patriots buried in Arlington Cemetery. The most memorable honor was when he was a participant in laying a wreath at the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”. Joe was also highly involved with the Oneida County World War II Veterans Trip Committee sending over 850 WW II Veterans on an overnight trip to visit their World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. 

For many years he has served on the Utica, NY annual Memorial Day Parade and Wreath laying Committee while honoring Our Past to Ensure Our Future. He has been a veterans’ advocate since his military service. He served on past Congressman Michael Arcuri’s Veterans Advisory Committee and presently is serving on Congressman Richard Hanna’s Veterans Advisory Committee. Joe requested and help establish that the 22nd Congressional NY District be recognized as a Purple Heart Congressional District, which became the first Congressional District in the nation. He also led the way in getting Broome, Green, Herkimer, and Oneida Counties along with the Cities of Utica, NY and Rome, NY to become Purple Heart Counties and Cities. 

Joe is a member of the CNY Chapter 490 Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Utica Chapter 944, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 82, VFW Post 6001, American Legion New Hartford Post 1376, Masonic War Veterans, Battle of Oriskany Post 55, Masonic Lodge 64, and BPOE Utica Elks Lodge 33(having received 2 Distinguished Citizenship Awards). 

He resides in New Hartford, NY with his wife of 43 years, Lorraine and has a daughter, Kristen & son-in-law Matt Betzenhauser, and granddaughter, Isabella Betzenhauser.