![Senator Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_small/public/02-10-15_official_hs_omara-hs-040_0.jpg?itok=gJ9N77KJ)
O’Mara seeking nominees for Senate's Veterans Hall of Fame
February 5, 2018
-
ISSUE:
- Honoring Local Veterans
!["So many veterans served our nation courageously and honorably, and then returned home to lift the lives of our local communities," said Senator O'Mara.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/vetshalloffame.png?itok=3nNMfdZt)
Elmira, N.Y., February 5—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) is seeking nominations for the New York State Senate’s "Veterans Hall of Fame," an online tribute to the military and civilian lives of distinguished veterans from the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, and throughout New York State.
“So many veterans served our nation courageously and honorably, and then returned home to lift the lives of our local communities. The Senate Veterans Hall of Fame is just one more way to give a local veteran a well-deserved and well-earned expression of our gratitude and admiration,” said O’Mara, who represents New York’s 58th Senate District encompassing Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates counties, and part of Tompkins County (the city and town of Ithaca, and the towns of Enfield, Newfield and Ulysses).
The Senate established its Veterans Hall of Fame in 2005. It honors New York State veterans whose service in the United States Armed Forces has been accompanied by service to the community and accomplishments as a civilian. It pays tributes to veterans representing Senate districts statewide. Senators conduct induction ceremonies within their respective legislative districts and at the Capitol coinciding with veterans-related observances throughout the year.
This year’s Senate Veterans Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Albany is planned for Tuesday, May 15, 2018, to coincide with this year’s Memorial Day observances.
O’Mara is accepting nominations for this year’s 58th Senate District inductee until Friday, April 13, 2018. Nomination letters, which should include a short biography highlighting the nominee’s military and civilian service awards and achievements, can be e-mailed to omara@nysenate.gov.
O’Mara has inducted the following area veterans into the Senate Veterans Hall of Fame:
> Philip C. Smith, a highly decorated Korean War combat veteran and well-known figure in Schuyler County government and veterans’ affairs as the former director of the Schuyler County Veterans’ Service Agency;
> J. Arthur “Archie” Kieffer, longtime Chemung County historian and a World War II combat veteran;
> Steuben County native, former Painted Post Mayor, and World War II combat veteran Roswell L. “Roz” Crozier, Jr.;
> Anthony J. “Tony” Specchio, Sr., a lifelong Watkins Glen resident and a fixture in civic and veterans affairs; and
> P. Earle Gleason, a lifelong Yates County resident and the former, longtime Director of the Yates County Veterans’ Service Agency.
Other area veterans who are Hall of Fame members are Frank C. "Fritz" Pesesky, a veteran of World War II and former director of the Chemung County Veterans Service Office (2005); William K. Kastner, a Vietnam veteran and longtime director of the Steuben County Veterans Service Agency (2006); and Robert Laskaris, a highly decorated combat veteran and well-known figure in Chemung County veterans’ affairs (2008).
Share this Article or Press Release
Newsroom
Go to Newsroom![“Local roads are essential. This year’s state budget includes critical steps and increased funding to move forward on this priority. State investment in our local transportation infrastructure is vital to the post-COVID future of local communities, economies, environments, governments, and taxpayers," Senator O'Mara and Assemblyman Palmesano said in a joint statement. “Local roads are essential. This year’s state budget includes critical steps and increased funding to move forward on this priority. State investment in our local transportation infrastructure is vital to the post-COVID future of local communities, economies, environments, governments, and taxpayers.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/localroads-tom-podium.jpg?itok=oVApVCtI)
!["One of the first that needs rescinding is this arbitrary, capricious, non-scientific curfew that continues to prevent restaurants, bars, taverns, and the entire hospitality industry from truly beginning a full recovery from the COVID-19 economic shutdown. It continues to destroy small business owners, their employees, and the livelihoods they depend on," said Senator O'Mara. "One of the first that needs rescinding is this arbitrary, capricious, non-scientific curfew that continues to prevent restaurants, bars, taverns, and the entire hospitality industry from truly beginning a full recovery from the COVID-19 economic shutdown. It continues to destroy small business owners, their employees, and the livelihoods they depend on," said Senator O'Mara.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/endcurfew.png?itok=lNzPOZUe)
!["The hazardous and toxic chemicals associated with these labs pose unacceptable risks to our neighborhoods and the public at large, as well as to the safety of police officers, firefighters, and other first responders," said Senator O'Mara. The hazardous and toxic chemicals associated with these labs pose unacceptable risks to our neighborhoods and the public at large, as well as to the safety of police officers, firefighters, and other first responders," said Senator O'Mara.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/meth-candid.jpeg?itok=D5l5EKGE)