State Senate Launches Online Veterans Hall Of Fame

Elmira, N.Y.-- Senator George H. Winner, Jr. (R-C, Elmira) today announced that Frank C. "Fritz" Pesesky, a well-known figure in Chemung County veterans’ affairs and longtime director of the county’s Veterans Service Office, has been inducted into the New York State Senate’s newly established, online Veterans Hall of Fame.

"Fritz Pesesky is remembered as someone who loved and served his country, and who then continued to give his heart and soul in civilian life to the well-being of area veterans and their families," said Winner. "I’m honored and privileged on this Veterans Day to have an opportunity to pay tribute to his service."

Pesesky, a World War II Navy veteran, served in the Pacific theater as a flag signalman aboard LCI(L)-1076 [Landing Craft Infantry (Large)] during the invasions of New Guinea, Borneo, Moratai, Yap, Leyte, Luzon and other Philippine Islands.

The inaugural class of Senate Veterans Hall of Fame inductees includes veterans representing Senate districts from throughout New York State. It’s designed to honor New Yorkers whose service in the United States Armed Forces is accompanied by service to the community and accomplishments as a civilian. Winner plans to designate additional Hall of Fame inductees to represent his legislative district, the state’s 53rd Senate District, each Veterans Day.

Click here tovisit the New York State Senate Veterans Hall ofFame.

In an afternoon ceremony at the Chemung County Veteran’s Affairs Office, which Pesesky first joined as a benefits counselor in 1969 and served as director from 1971-91, Winner presented an honorary plaqueto members of the Pesesky family. A plaque will also be permanently displayed at the Veteran’s Affairs Office.

Pesesky’s daughter, Jane Kennedy of Horseheads, said, "On behalf of my family, I'd like to thank Senator Winner who selected our Dad for this honor. Anyone who knew him, knew of his devotion and pride in his country and the men and women who fought for our freedom. He was a very humble man and never would have expected such an honor. I will always be proud to say I am one of Fritz's children, but I am especially proud and honored to know his legacy lives on."

Pesesky, whose longtime association with local veterans began during high school when he joined the American Legion Post 154 Drum & Bugle Corps in Elmira Heights, was also a principal motivator in the community drive to purchase land to reopen the Woodlawn National Cemetery. He passed away in 1998 and is buried at Woodlawn.

"His total dedication, persistence and unwavering commitment to helping every single veteran or dependent in any way possible was legendary in the community. He saw his duty time as 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Robert Bly, director of the Chemung County Veteran’s Affairs Office. "Fritz was a man of tremendous energy, spirit, faith and good humor."

The Senate initiative complements legislation cosponsored by Winner and approved by the Legislature earlier this year to make New York the fourth state in the nation to establish a statewide Veterans’ Hall of Fame.