Thirty-two veterans from four counties will be recognized at state Sen. Pam Helming's 10th annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony in Canandaigua on Oct. 23. The public is invited to attend the 4 p.m. event at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center.
The honorees live in the 54th Senate District, which includes Livingston, Ontario and Wayne counties and parts of Monroe County, according to a Thursday news release from Helming's office. Community leaders, veterans organizations, family members and friends nominated them.
The group includes veterans who served during World War II, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Helming's office said the honorees have also served their communities as firefighters, coaches, business owners, local leaders and advocates for other veterans.
Each veteran will be recognized individually. A commemorative booklet will tell the honorees' stories and describe their military and civilian work.
Ontario and Wayne county honorees
The Ontario County honorees are Peter Bresette, Chad Christensen, Thomas Schwab, Jim Swing and John Cipollina of Canandaigua; Eric Heieck, Kenneth Gayhart, Charles Hippert and David Haag of Geneva; David King and Dakota Orbaker of Seneca; Kyle Wirth, John Schlesing and James Galasso of Farmington; David Hefti of Naples; Timothy Brown of Victor; and Cierra Pierce of Bloomfield.
Wayne County's honorees are Kay Rathke of Ontario; Scott Peters of North Rose; Thomas Putnam and William Gleichauf of Williamson; Eugene Van Deusen of Wolcott; and Roger Pritchard of Wolcott.
Livingston and Monroe county honorees
The Livingston County honorees are Anthony Gaiter of Conesus, Mike Falk of Lima, Robert Ciecierega and Dennis Staley of Geneseo, Brandon Mastin of Springwater and Ted Conrad of Mount Morris.
Monroe County's honorees are Luann VanPeursem of Churchville, David Brown of Chili and Richard Gatto of Honeoye Falls.
"This ceremony is a chance to let our veterans know how much their service means to us and how grateful we are for all they have given," Helming said in the release. She also thanked those who nominated veterans and encouraged neighbors to attend.
To RSVP or ask for more information, contact Helming's office at 315-568-9816 or helming@nysenate.gov.
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