Senator Helming Recognizes Late Cayuga County Marine In Veterans Hall of Fame

AURORA – During the H.R. Wilson Memorial Military Ceremony & Golf Tournament at Wells College in Aurora on Saturday, August 11, Senator Pam Helming recognized the late retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Edward L. Butts Jr. as a 2018 New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame inductee. Senator Helming selected Mr. Butts for the Veterans Hall of Fame and honored him during a ceremony at the State Capitol in May. Senator Helming presented Mr. Butts’ wife, Barbara, and his daughter, Stefanie Bailey, with a certificate and plaque to pay tribute to his service to our country and our community.

Mr. Butts helped organize the tournament from its beginning and was also active in the Union Springs community as a member and former commander of Walter T. Conley American Legion Post 1107. He was proudest of his achievement of erecting monuments that stand in front of the Legion Post and are engraved with the names of local service members dating to the Spanish-American War. Mr. Butts enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from high school in Union Springs and served first in the Mediterranean Sea and then in Vietnam after completing recruit training. He continued to serve in various roles around the world and across the country, including a return to Vietnam. He worked his way through the ranks to gunnery sergeant and then master gunnery sergeant by the time of his retirement.

“After I read about Master Gunnery Sgt. Butts’ life and career, I knew we had found a veteran who truly exemplifies what the Veterans Hall of Fame represents. Someone who distinguished himself with significant contributions in his military career, professional endeavors, and community service, someone whose meritorious service to our nation, state, and community deserves special recognition as a fitting expression of our gratitude and admiration. Mr. Butts knew that he had been selected as the 54^th District inductee into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame, and this honor meant a lot to him and his family. I was proud to recognize such an exemplary veteran and outstanding citizen, and I was humbled to meet his family and pay tribute to their husband and father in this way. Thank to Mr. Butts and his family for their service to our country and our community, and thank you to the golf tournament organizers for allowing us to take a moment to remember him,” Senator Helming said.