Senator Helming Helps Waterloo Veteran Honor Local Heroes

SENECA FALLS – Senator Pam Helming recently visited a display of boards featuring all 120 of her 2019 New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame nominees that was created by José Caraballo, a U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran from Waterloo and one of the nominees, and set up at Walmart in Seneca Falls. Mr. Caraballo made the boards out of the pages of a book depicting the local veterans and their stories that was put together for a series of veteran recognition ceremonies that Senator Helming hosted throughout her six-county district in November to honor all of the nominees for their service to our country and their community. Senator Helming presented Mr. Caraballo with a New York State Senate Citation and New York State Senate Commendation Award to recognize his military service as well as his community service project paying tribute to local veterans. The boards are on display at Walmart in Seneca Falls now through Thursday, May 30.

“It was a true privilege to honor all of the 120 local veterans who were nominated for the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame and thank them for their service to our country and our community. Although each Senator gets to select just one veteran from their district to induct to the Veterans Hall of Fame each year, all of the veteran nominees from my district have inspiring stories of sacrifice and achievement in their military careers and civilian lives. I wanted to make sure that all of them had the opportunity to be recognized for their contributions on behalf of the rest of us. It is wonderful to see the beautiful display that Mr. José Caraballo has created out of the book that was made for my veterans recognition ceremonies and set up at Walmart in Seneca Falls. It gives our local heroes yet another opportunity to be recognized for their service and sacrifice. Please take the time to visit this display, pay tribute to our local heroes, and learn about their stories. Thank you, Mr. Caraballo, for your thoughtfulness and compassion as well as your own service and sacrifice. Thank you to Walmart and Manager Rose Marie Wright for hosting this terrific display,” Senator Helming said.