O’Mara honoring area Vietnam War veteran as 2022 ‘Veterans Hall of Fame' inductee on Monday: Senate launches its virtual induction ceremony today at Noon (FIND OUT MORE AND WATCH HERE)

Elmira, N.Y., May 30—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) will induct Dennis L. “Denny”  Wolfe, Sr. of Chemung County, a well-known area Vietnam War veteran and founder of the Vietnam War Museum in Elmira, into the New York State Senate “Veterans’ Hall of Fame” on Monday.

Wolfe will represent O’Mara’s 58^th Senate District and be among approximately 60 veterans from throughout the state being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.

Senators will honor their respective 2022 inductees through a virtual ceremony that will be launched on Monday, May 30, beginning at 12:00 Noon, to coincide with Memorial Day. The 2022 Veterans' Hall of Fame virtual induction ceremony can be viewed (and will remain posted) HERE.  

O’Mara’s induction video and additional information on Wolfe can be found HERE.

O’Mara is also planning a local induction ceremony for Wolfe.

O’Mara said, “It’s an honor and a privilege to induct Denny Wolfe into the Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame. Denny has done anything and everything he could through the Vietnam War Museum he founded in Elmira to ensure that the legacy and the service of America’s Vietnam War veterans will always be remembered. I am grateful that the New York State Senate will take this step to ensure that Denny’s own service and his lifelong commitment to area veterans will also be remembered for generations to come. We take this opportunity to salute the lives of veterans who have made such a difference for our local communities, our state, and the United States of America. Denny Wolfe courageously served our nation in Vietnam and then returned home where he has devoted his life to tirelessly working to honor and assist his fellow veterans and strengthen our community. I am glad to take this opportunity to express our collective gratitude and respect.”

The Senate established its online Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2005 and, including this year, has inducted nearly 500 veterans. The Hall salutes New York veterans for their service in the United States Armed Forces and their civilian accomplishments.

O’Mara’s previous Veterans’ Hall of Fame inductees were:

> in 2011, Philip C. Smith, a highly decorated Korean War combat veteran and well-known figure in Schuyler County government and veterans’ affairs;

> in 2012, J. Arthur “Archie” Kieffer, a World War II combat veteran and a widely admired fixture in Chemung County government as the Chemung County historian;

> in 2013, Painted Post Mayor and World War II combat veteran Roswell L. “Roz” Crozier, Jr.;

> in 2014, Anthony J. “Tony” Specchio, Sr., a distinguished Korean War veteran and widely respected for his long-standing and active service to veterans and government in Watkins Glen and throughout Schuyler County;

> in 2016, P. Earle Gleason, a lifelong Yates County resident and longtime director of the Yates County Veterans’ Service Agency;

> in 2018, Warren A. Thompson, a lifelong Steuben County resident and farmer, and a stalwart in the county’s civic and veterans affairs;

> in 2019, Paul C. “Digger” Vendetti of Elmira, a World War II United States Navy veteran and longtime caretaker at Woodlawn National Cemetery; and

> in 2021, Richard T. “Dick” Gillespie of Penn Yan, a veteran of World War II.

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).