Assemblymen Gary D. Finch (R,C,I-Springport), Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) and Robert C. Oaks (R,C-Macedon) held an awards ceremony for New York's veterans on Sunday, Oct. 24 in the Auburn High School Auditorium.

Assemblyman Finch said, "Personally, I believe that as involved residents of New York state we should do everything we can to support those who serve in our military - both here and abroad. Moreover, we should, from time to time, pause to honor those who have already served our great country - especially in these uncertain times. There is nothing more rewarding as a state legislator than to be able to recognize those who served so valiantly on behalf of New York's residents and all United States citizens."

Local veterans who received a military citation while serving in the U.S. armed forces were eligible to apply for the state's highest military honors: the Conspicuous Service Cross, the Conspicuous Service Star and the Medal for Merit. The three local assemblymen presented eligible veterans with citations and medals in recognition of their outstanding military service.

Assemblyman Kolb said, "We should all be very proud of these individuals and the sacrifices they have made to our state and country. As members of our family, neighbors and friends, these heroes represent the very best that New York has to offer, and I am proud to have been able to participate in this ceremony."

"I am proud to be involved with this medals ceremony," Assemblyman Oaks said. "It is a rewarding experience to know that these brave men and women are getting the recognition that they deserve. As elected officials, there is no greater honor than to present these veterans with our state's highest military honors."

To receive more information, call Assemblyman Finch at (315) 255-3045, Assemblyman Kolb at (315) 781-2030 or Assemblyman Oaks at (315) 946-5166.

Seated, left to right - Pauline Rybarczyk for Joseph Rybarczyk, technical sergeant/Army of United States, Conspicuous Service Cross; Richard Gannon, airman apprentice/U.S. Navy, Conspicuous Service Star, Medal for Merit; Anthony Petrucci, corporal/AUS, Conspicuous Service Star; Edwin Dinkel, private 1st Class/AUS, Medal for Merit; Eugene Willet, airman 3rd Class/U.S. Air Force, Medal for Merit; William Fastic, Jr., sergeant/USAF, Conspicuous Service Cross; James Nail, sergeant/United States Marine Corps, Conspicuous Service Star, Medal for Merit; August Abel, Jr., torpedoman's mate 2nd Class/USN, Medal for Merit; Gerald Ferguson, Sr., mess management specialist 3rd Class/USN, Conspicuous Service Star, Medal for Merit; Marianne Viscardi for John Baranick, private/AUS, Medal for Merit; Jeanne Del Favero for Bruno Del Favero, private 1st Class/AUS, Conspicuous Service Star; Ernest Gadsby, Jr., private 1st Class/AUS, Medal for Merit.

Second row, standing - Assemblyman Gary Finch; Glenn Eaton, technician five/AUS, Medal for Merit; James Brown, master sergeant/AUS, Conspicuous Service Cross, Conspicuous Service Star; Walter Horbal, sergeant 1st Class/AUS, Medal for Merit; Dennis Mattison, Jr., machinist's mate 1st Class/USN, Medal for Merit; Charles Sears, private/AUS, Conspicuous Service Cross; John Mayer, chief watertender/USN, Conspicuous Service Star, Medal for Merit; Robert Smith, sergeant/AUS, Conspicuous Service Cross; Alfred Williams, seaman 2nd Class/USN, Medal for Merit; Ferdinand Jedik, Jr., specialist four/AUS, Medal for Merit; Lawrence Benson, construction engineer 1st Class/United States Naval Reserve, Medal for Merit; Eugene Dandino, corporal/AUS, Medal for Merit; Assemblyman Robert Oaks; Assemblyman Brian Kolb.

Third row, standing - Henry MacDonald, III, staff sergeant/AUS, Conspicuous Service Cross, Conspicuous Service Star; Lawrence Monroe, sergeant 1st Class/AUS, Conspicuous Service Cross, Conspicuous Service Star.

WWII Veterans

From left to right: Assemblyman Brian Kolb; Assemblyman Robert Oaks; Alfred Williams, seaman 2nd Class/U.S. Navy, Medal for Merit; John Mayer, chief watertender/USN, Conspicuous Service Star, Medal for Merit; Robert Smith, sergeant/Army of United States, Conspicuous Service Cross; Glenn Eaton, technician five/AUS, Medal for Merit; Edwin Dinkel, private 1st Class/AUS, Medal for Merit; Assemblyman Gary Finch.