Twin Tiers Honor Flight posthumously recognizes six vets
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – As a salute to their service, 60 veterans were flown to the nation’s capital on May 12th to visit the monuments and memorials dedicated to them and their fellow servicemen and women. Another six veterans with ties to the Southern Tier were also honored posthumously during the day’s ceremonies in Washington D.C. and Arlington, VA.
Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Broome County Executive Jason Garnar also went on the flight. County Executive Garnar participated as a Guardian for two brothers, one a Vietnam War Veteran, and the other a Vietnam era veteran. Assemblywoman Lupardo participated in four “Flags of Our Heroes” ceremonies where she read the biographies of six veterans – including her father – who were posthumously honored. At each ceremony a flag was folded and presented to a family member or friend of the deceased veteran.
“My dad was very proud of his service and passed his love of country and public service on to me,” Lupardo said. “It was an honor to be able to pay tribute to him and the other men and women who did not live to receive this special recognition in person.”
Frank Lupardo served as an Aerial Engineer in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Others recognized during the Mission 7 ceremonies included Nelli J. DeWitt of Susquehanna, PA who served as the first Director of the Navy Nurse Corps in WWII; David R. Seidenburg of Cortland, a member of the Army Air Corps in WWII; Anthony J. Stepneski of Binghamton, a WWII Army veteran; Rocco Monforte of Binghamton who served in the Army in the Korean War; and Leonard J. Frycek of Horseheads who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.
Twin Tiers Honor Flight is a local chapter of the national Honor Flight Network. The non-profit organization was created solely to honor WWII, Korea, and Vietnam-era veterans by transporting them to Washington, D.C. so they can visit and reflect at their respective memorials. Top priority is given to senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with veterans who may be terminally ill.
To learn more about the Twin Tiers Honor flight visit twintiershonorflight.com.