Ritchie Honors “Hometown Heroes”

Traveling Exhibit Recognizes Local Medal of Honor Recipients

State Senator Patty Ritchie is recognizing local Medal of Honor recipients through a traveling display that will be featured at museums, libraries and other locations throughout Central and Northern New York throughout the coming months.

The display features several St. Lawrence and Oswego County Civil War heroes, a group of little known Jefferson County Medal of Honor recipients who served at Madison Barracks at the turn of the century,  and a former member of the 10th Mountain Division from WWII.

“So many brave men and women have put their lives on the line for their country, and the Medal of Honor is the ultimate honor for that service,” said Senator Ritchie.  “What many people don’t realize is that our region is home to 45 of New York State’s Medal of Honor recipients.  I would like to thank the organizations who will be hosting this exhibit and introducing people in our communities to the heroes who have called our area “home.”

The exhibit, which is marking the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Medal of Honor by President Abraham Lincoln, is the second in a series that began last year.   The display will be featured at a number of locations across Central and Northern New York, including the following:

Oswego County

August 5-August 16: Fulton Public Library

August 19-August 30: Hannibal Free Library

September 3-September 13: Pulaski Public Library

September 16-September 27: Phoenix Public Library

September 30-October 11: Williamstown Library

October 15-October 25: Central Square Library

October 28-November 18: Oswego City Library

November 12-November 22: Mexico Public Library

Jefferson County

July 31-August 7: Watertown's Flower Memorial Library

August 8-August 21: Carthage Free Library

August 22-September 4: Sackets Harbor Historical Society

September 5-September 18: River Hospital

September 19-October 2: BOCES (20104 NYS Route 3, Watertown)

October 3-October 23: Fort Drum USO

October 23-November 6: Jefferson Community College

November 7-November 20: Salmon Run Mall

November 21-December 4: Carthage Area Hospital

December 5-December 18: Carthage Free Library

St. Lawrence County

Sept. 30-Oct. 21: Ogdensburg Public Library

Oct. 22-Nov. 15: E. J. Noble Hospital in Gouverneur

Nov. 16-Dec. 7: Waddington Hepburn Public Library

Dec. 7-Jan. 2: Hermon Hepburn Library

To view the display online, click here. 

One in four of America’s 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients nationally are from New York State. In addition to her “Hometown Heroes” exhibit, Senator Ritchie has introduced legislation to pay tribute to these recipients by naming some of the bridges and overpasses of our state in their honor.