Photo: Senator Kathy Marchione Proudly Honors Francis “Dick” Varone, A Hero of the Battle of Iwo Jima

Albany, NY – Senator Kathy Marchione (R,C,I,Reform-Halfmoon), Member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, recently honored heroes of the Battle of Iwo Jima during Senate session. Pictured are Troy resident Francis “Dick” Varone, a veteran of the Battle of Iwo Jima (left), and New York State Senator Kathy Marchione (right). Also pictured are members of Mr. Varone’s family. Mr. Varone served with pride, and honor, in the United States Marine Corps with the 12th 155mm Gun Battalion, Fleet Marine Force Pacific. He was attached to the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima, serving as a Field Radio Operator and Forward Observer. Mr. Varone landed on Green Beach One at the foot of Mt. Suribachi, fought on the Island the entire 36 days, and saw both flag raisings. While bomb shrapnel wounded Mr. Varone during an airfield bombardment, he actually patched himself up as, in his words, “there were a lot of guys worse off than me” and kept fighting. Mr. Varone never put in for the Purple Heart and did receive the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon One Star and the NYS Medal for Merit. Mr. Varone lives in Troy and meets with his Iwo Jima comrades for lunch and other functions. Senator Marchione presented Mr. Varone a Senate Resolution honoring his courageous service during the Battle of Iwo Jima.