Tedisco Honors Saratoga County Vietnam Veterans with NYS Senate Liberty Medals

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Glenville) presented New York State Senate Liberty Medals, the Senate’s highest honor, to two incredible American Heroes: Vietnam Veterans Robert W. Van Pelt of Malta (pictured left) and Garth D. Lloyd of Ballston Spa (pictured right of Tedisco) as part of the New York State Military Museum’s Veteran of the Year ceremony at the Wilton-Saratoga Elks Lodge.

Garth D. Lloyd served in Vietnam as an Infantryman with the 25th Infantry Division 1971-1972. On February 12, 1972, he was wounded in action by a booby trap, evacuated to the US and medically discharged as a SP4. He then worked for the City of Saratoga Springs retiring in 2012 and currently serves as a Docent at the NYS Military Museum. He and his wife Diane reside in Ballston Spa.

CSM(Ret) Robert W. Van Pelt served in Vietnam as a Fixed Station Automatic Digital Network Technical Controller with the 1st Signal Brigade, Phu Lam. He served 42 years in various assignment in the US Active Army, National Guard and Reserves where he rose through the ranks to CSM in the NY Army National Guard. His assignments include CSM for 242 Signal Brigade, 1-101 Cavalry Squadron, 187th Signal Brigade, 53rd Troop Command, 42nd Infantry Division and CSM, NY Army National Guard for the last 10 years before retiring June 2011. After retiring, he continued to help service members in a number of organizations as a passionate volunteer. CSM Van Pelt and his wife Debbie reside in Malta.

"Robert Van Pelt and Garth Lloyd are two American heroes who served our country during the Vietnam War with honor and distinction and then came home to Saratoga County and continued to serve others. I'm proud to present them with the New York State Senate Liberty Medal, our highest honor," said Senator Jim Tedisco.