JUNE 2014 • First Call 1

Chris Urban, Commander june 2014 Jack LaPaglia, Membership

First Call!The American Legion Utica Post 229

Utica Post 229 • 409 Herkimer Rd., Utica, NY 13502 • 315.793.9377 • uticapost229.org • nylegion.org

Post Meetings are first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. (optional dinner at 6:15)

InsideCommander’s Call 2Chaplain 2Post Officers 3Auxiliary 3Memorial Day 4-7Bingo Report 7BBQ, Dinner Success 7

JUNE4 Bloodmobile, noon-55 Monthly Dinner, 6:15 Post Meeting, 7:30 pm Auxiliary, 7:30 pm9 VVA, 1 p.m. 10 Bingo, 6:30 p.m.17 Bingo, 6:3021 DAV, noon24 Bingo, 6:30 p.m.

JULY and AUGUSTNo post meetings, and no issues of First Call.Meetings and First Call resume in September.

POST HONORS 3 TOP COPS

T.R. Proctor High School’s Navy Junior ROTC program fielded several contingents of cadets for Utica’s Memorial Day Parade on May 26. The parade capped a day of remem-brance coordinated by Utica Post 229 with other veterans groups. SEE PAGE 4.

Memorial Day

RE-ELECTED: Chris Urban and Rosaria Haggerty were re-elected post commander and auxiliary president, and installed during the installation dinner May 2.

Utica Police Lt. Louis Capri, Capt. David Mickle, and Officer Ryan Kelly were honored as Police Officers of the Year on May 1 by Utica Post 220. SEE BACK COVER.

First Call • JUNE 20142

Commander’s Call

Chris Urban

BRAVO ZULUS!

Lenten Bingo (Friday evenings in Lent except Good Friday) was a success; we made over $2,000 in six weeks. Bravo Zulu to all who volunteered their time: Bill Sequin, Carl Cathey, Frank Jakubowski, Frank Cassella, Tony Pallidino, John Kurtelawicz, Jim and Ro Haggerty, Jim McGuire, Tony Pallidino, Jack LaPaglia, Dan & Ginger Pieloch, Pam Vogel, Rose Caye, Joanne C. Powers, Tom O’Toole, Jerry Welpe, Al Kohler, and Jim George.

The Scholarship Pasta Dinner was a huge success; we made over $1,300. Bravo Zulu to Scholarship Chairman Zeke Zaleski. Bravo Zulu also to Jim George, Jerry Welpe, Dane Evans (who should transfer back to Post 229), Tom O’Toole, Alfred Miller for 5 NJROTC Cadets from Notre Dame High School who volun-teered to help, and Rob Piper for 5 NJROTC Cadets from Proctor High School who volunteered to help.

Bravo Zulu to Mark Williamson and his team of volunteers for put-ting together another great Memorial Day Parade. Additionally, Bravo Zulu to Mark and the NJROTC Cadets from Proctor High School for at-taching American flags on nearly 200 utility poles along the parade route.

Bravo Zulu to Jim George, Al-fred Miller, Brian Jaynes, and the NJROTC Cadets from Notre Dame

High School for placing American flags on the graves of veterans in Calvery Cemetery prior to Memorial Day.

Bravo Zulu to Larry Weibel and Tom O’Toole for spearheading an effort to work with National Grid to replace our lighting with highly efficient and extremely durable (30-year life) LED lighting inside and outside the Post. Bottom line: over 60% of the installation and material cost is covered by National Grid, our investment will be recovered in just 16 months of lower National Grid electricity bills, and this change will save the Post at least $3,000 in elec-tricity costs per year every year!

Bravo Zulu to Jerry Welpe, Dave Valentine, and Larry Weibel for taking such great care of the Post; the material condition of the Post is higher now than it has been is many years thanks to their efforts.

The Chicken BBQ was a success; we made over $700. Bravo Zulu to Jim Maguire and Ron Uszk for BBQing the chickens. Bravo Zulu to Mike Ca-vanaugh for sharing his amazing salt potato recipe with the world. Bravo Zulu also to Dave Valentine, Larry Weibel, Rick Furner, Reggie Carter, Bill Sequin, and Joanne C. Powers.

I hope everyone has a happy, healthy, and safe summer!

For God and Country

The Spirit of man has awakenedThe Soul of man has gone forthGrant us the wisdom and the visionto comprehend the greatness of man’s Spiritthat suffers and endures so hugely for a goalbeyond his own brief span

We are all of us children of EarthGrant us that simple knowledge

If our brothers are oppressed,then we are oppressed

If they hunger, we hunger

If their freedom is taken away,our freedom is not secure

Grant us a common faith,that man shall know bread and peaceThat he shall know justice and righteousness,Freedom and security, an equal opportunity,and an equal chance to do his best,not only in our own lands, but throughout the world.

And in that faith, let us march, march toward the clean world,our hands can make. Amen

-Franklin D. Roosevelt, June 14,1942

DATES TO REMEMBERJune 4 ShavoutJune 6 D-DayJune 14 Flag DayJune 15 Fathers DayJune 19 Juneteenth: A day to celebrate an opportunity for people, to celebrate freedom and equal rights in America June 21 First day of summer

Chaplain’scorner

Paul Wojcik

DAV VAN HERE ON JULY 9The DAV Van will spend a day at Utica Post 229 on Wednesday, July 9,

from 9 to 4. A national service officer will be available to answer questions, and help veterans file a claim or check on the status of a claim.

JUNE 2014 • First Call 3

Auxiliaryrosaria haggerty, president

President’s MessageROE HAGGERTY

Dear Auxiliary Members,Congratulations to the newly elected officers:President: Rosaria HaggertyVice Presidents: Donna Wojcik, Pam Vogel, Ginger PielockTreasurer: Dorthy BaileySecretary: Rosetta LaPagliaChaplain: Gail GrecoSgt-at-Arms: Peggy KohlerPoppies were mailed to all Legion and Auxiliary mem-

bers. The Poppy is a symbol that honors those whose lives are sacrificed for freedom, and it helps those in need of rehabilitation and financial assistance. Please send in you donations to the Post.

We are at the end of the Auxiliary year and I would like to thank the officers and members for a successful one. I would also like to thank the members of the Legion for all the help and support. Let us take pride in our accomplish-ments.

God Bless America

Yours in service.

Auxiliary President Ro Haggerty and Vice President Pam Vogel placed the wreath in front of the Post building on Memorial Day. Saluting, from left, are: Tom O’Toole, Jim George and Chris Urban.

By Rosetta LaPagliaLadies, this is the last

report before the close of Department Membership books at the end of June. The new membership year begins in July. A word from Department: If 2014 dues are not paid, I will not be able to accept next year’s dues; your continuous mem-bership years will be lost.

You may still submit dues to Utica Unit 229 at the post address, or to me (see below). Thank you for supporting our unit with your membership!

Yours in service,Rosetta LaPaglia616 Coolidge Rd.Utica, NY 13502

Send Dues Before End of June

Chris Urban was re-elected commander of Utica Post 229 for a fourth term at the May 1st membership meeting. He is a retired Navy com-mander who piloted ship-based helicopters.

An installation ceremo-ny took place May 2.

Other officers are:• 1st Vice Commander

Jim George• 2nd Vice Commander

Bob Stronach• 3rd Vice Commander

Tony Palladino• Adjutant Len La Scala• Treasurer Jim Hag-

gerty• Chaplain Paul Wojcik• Historian Bill Sequin• Service Officer Dave

Wilson• Judge Advocate Al

Alteri• Sgt-at-Arms Wayne

Dapre

Executive Board: #1 Frank Cassella #2 Tom O’Toole #3 Vin Zaleski #4 Jack LaPaglia #5 Stew Bailey

Scholarship Committee: #1 Jim McGuire #2 Paul Wojcik #3 Vin Zaleski, chair #4 Jim George #5 Tom O’Toole #6 Jim Haggerty #7 Chris Urban

POST INSTALLS OFFICERS FOR 2014-2015

First Call • JUNE 20144

a little history highlights wreath-laying ceremonies

Veterans and other specta-tors at Utica’s Memorial Day observances not only saluted area war dead but also learned a bit of history as wreaths were laid as each of six monuments around the city.

It kicked off at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Oneida Square, which, Utica Post 229 Commander Chris Urban told the crowd, “was erected in 1891 in memory of Utica natives who fought in the Civil War.”

Calling it America’s bloodiest conflict, he said, “It claimed more than 620,000 lives and another 480,000 Americans were wounded or injured. The monument reminds us, too, that we must always be one nation, one flag, one land, and one heart.”

Retired Army Chaplain Col. Gary Howard and his assistant, retired Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Morrell, of-fered words of prayer and healing, lifting veterans and their families up to God, and continued to do so at each stop. Fire Chief Russell Brooks and Utica City Court Judge Ralph Eannace placed the wreath at the foot of the monument.

Starting and ending at Utica Post 229, a Centro bus took veterans, auxiliary mem-bers and others to each of the monuments. A number of people drove their own cars.

The next three stops were on the Parkway for the Viet-

nam Veterans Memorial, the POW/MIA Monument and the World War I/World War II/Korean War Monument.

The Vietnam memo-rial “was erected in 1985 in memory of Oneida County

residents who fought in the Vietnam War from 1959 to 1975,” Urban told the crowd. “During that time period, 58,202 Americans were killed in action -- 61 percent of the men killed were 21 or

younger. Another 303,704 Americans were wounded or injured.”

Cold Star Mother Mary Wheeler and local Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Commander Tom Buono laid the wreath. Wheeler took a moment to touch the name of her son inscribed on the memorial.

The POW/MIA monu-ment was erected in 1992 in honor of the more than 83,000 Americans still miss-ing from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War, Urban said to the crowd. “Phrases such as ‘Keeping the Promise, Fulfill Their Trust, No One Left Behind and We Speak For Those Who Cannot’ are as-sociated with our constant effort to recover and repatri-ate those missing or taken prisoner.”

Army Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Neal and Vietnam vet-eran John Harris placed the wreath beneath the statue of a battered POW.

The WWI/WWII/Korean War Monument “was erected in 2000,” Urban said. “In World War I, 116,000 were killed; 204,000 were wounded or injured. In World War II, 405,000 were killed; 670,000 were wounded or injured. In Korea, 36,000 were killed and 92,000 were wounded or injured. In total for these

Retired Chaplain Col. Gary Howard and retired Chaplain’s Assistant Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Morrell at Soldiers and Sail-ors Monument. BELOW: Gold Star Mother Mary Wheeler and Vietnam vet Tom Buono at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Continued on next page.

JUNE 2014 • First Call 5

three wars, over half a million Americans were killed and nearly one million Americans were wounded or injured.”

World War II veteran Phil Capraro and Korean War vet Tom O’Toole laid the wreath.

Next was the Purple Heart Park in West Utica, where Shirly Eadline, an Air Force veteran representing Con-gressman Richard Hanna; and

Purple Heart recipients Vin Egresits, Phil Capraro and Joe Fraccola placed the wreath at a monument practically encircled by seven flag poles.

“The orginal Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was estab-lished by George Washing-ton, then commander in chief of the Continental Army,” Urban said to the gathering.

He offered some statistics on the number of Purple Hearts awarded in the last century.

• World War I: 320,518.• World War II: 1,076,245.• Korean War: 118,650.• Vietnam War: 351,794.• Persian Gulf War: 615.• Afghanistan War: 12,534.• Iraq War: 35,411.Urban wrapped up his his-

tory lesson at the All Veterans

Memorial at the Main Post Office on Pitcher Street, where he spoke of the oath that every military veteran takes -- an oath that creates a special bond among veterans -- an oath to defend the Con-stitution of the United States of America from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Several family members

Color Guard presents the colors outside Utica Post 229 during wreath-laying ceremony, which began the Memo-rial Day observance.

Korean War vet Tom O’Toole and World War II vet Phil Capraro render salutes after placing wreath at the WWI/WWII/Korean War Monument.

Bill Sequin Tony Palladino

Norman Kaplan Mike Elefante

Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Neal and son Sammy. Al Alteri Ed Jackson

Continued on next page.

First Call • JUNE 20146

placed the wreath there, including Eddrie Taylor, Joanne Huther, Cathy Cashel, Rosanne Huther and Russell Huther. Then veterans came to atten-tion and saluted while Linda Amador, both an Army and Air Force vet, sang the national anthem and Air Force vet-eran Vincent Zaleski sounded taps.

Everyone returned to Utica Post 229 for lunch before heading out for the afternoon parade, which featured some 40 units proceeding up Genesee Street from Oneida Square to the Parkway. Sponsored by Utica Post 229 and the city -- with a coordinating committee representing several veterans groups and chaired by retired Navy Command Master Chief Mark Williamson -- the parade boasted three marching bands (Procctor High School, JFK-Donovan Middle School, Banda Rosa), a num-ber of Junior ROTC marching units, an array of veterans organizations, Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Sitrin Military Rehab program, Utica Police, Vietnam Veterans and Marine Corps League color guards, first responder emergency vehicles, the Shriners/Ziyara Zanies Clowns, and others.

Continued from previous page

MEMORIAL DAY CANDIDS LEFT: The Ziyara Zanies Clowns pause for a “selfie” during the after-noon parade on Genesee Street.BELOW: The parade featured march-ing bands from Proctor High School and JFK-Donovan Middle School, plus Banda Rosa (Red Band).

JUNE 2014 • First Call 7

Bingo Report: April and May 2014

Date Income Prizes Expenses 3% Profit

4/1 $2655 $2034 $25 $18.63 $602.374/4 $2058 $1708 $10.50 $339.504/8 $2715 $1991 $21.72 $702.284/11 $1949 $1723 $6.78 $219.22 4/15 $2527 $1988 $16.17 $522.834/22 $2903 $2047 $25.68 $830.324/29 $2770 $2040 $21.90 $722.10

5/6 $3032 $2057 $25 $28.50 $921.505/13 $2950 $2641 $25 $8.52 $275.485/20 $2684 $1990 $20.82 $673.18

April Expenses - Trash $206.71, First Call $551.34, Trash $237.

April Donations - Childrens Miracle Network $100, Golf $140, Utica Unit 229 $100, Cookies for 229 Afghanistan Platoon $100, Post 229 Baseball $2,000, Poppy Mailing $108.72

May Expenses - First Call $551.34, Trash $205,May Donations - Boys State $1050, Top Cop $135, Utica Unit

229 $100, Scholarship $76.

BINGO WORKERSJim George, Bill Sequin, Tom O’Toole, Carl Cathey, Chris Urban, Vin Zaleski, Frank Jakubowski,Tony Pallidino, Regie Carter, Jack LaPaglia, Frank Cassella, Ted Zaniewski, John Kurtelawicz, Stew Bailey, Jim Haggerty, Phil Capraro, Dan & Virginia Pieloch, Gerry & Grace Welpe, Pam Vogel, Scott Sebation, Al Kohler, Wayne Dupree, Jim McGuire.

Senior Center Collects For Veterans

The West Utica Senior Center has started a pantry and clothing drive to help veterans in need. Toiletry items are also needed. Please drop off any donations at Utica Post and earmark them for the senior center, or drop them off at the West Utica Senior Center on Court Street and let them know it is for the veterans drive.

-- Paul Wojcik

Utica Post 229 would like to thank everyone for sup-porting April’s Chicken BBQ. It was a great success.

A special thank-you to vol-unteers:

• Ron Uszk, for barbecuing

the chicken and his amazing secret sauce.

• Jim McGuire, for donat-ing wood, for setting up and taking down, and for the bar-room squeaky chickens pro-moting the event.

• the rest of the team that made it happen: David Valen-tine, Mike Cavanaugh, Larry Weibel, Rick Furner, Reggie Carter, Bill Sequin, Jim George, and Commander Chris Urban.

-- Joanne Powers

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING BBQ

Proctor High School Navy Junior ROTC cadets march in parade while Polish Legion of American Veterans enjoy a ride.

MEMORIAL DAY CANDIDS

PASTA DINNER RAISES $1,350 FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

The annual scholarship pasta dinner on May 15 sold 120 dinners and raised $1,350 for the Utica Post 229 Scholarship Fund, reports Scholarship Chair Vincent Zaleski.

The Post expects to award four $1,000 scholarships and two $500 scholarships to college students this fall, he says.

First Call • JUNE 20148

Utica Post #229The American Legion

409 Herkimer Rd.Utica, NY 13502

First Call is a monthly publication of Utica Post 229 American Legion,

409 Herkimer Rd., Utica, NY 13502, whose mission is to serve veterans, members and local communities.

Yearly membership includes First Call, published 10 times a year.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

-PAID-Utica, NY

Permit No. 566

Since its founding in Paris in 1919, The American Legion has been an advocate for America’s veterans, a friend of the U.S. military, a sponsor of community-based programs for young people and a spokesman for patriotic values.

Editor: Robert Stronach. Send news, announcements and photos to FirstCall@uticapost229.org.

Utica American Legion Post 229 has named three Utica cops as Police Officers of the Year. In conjunction with Na-tional Law Day on May 1, the Post honored:

• Utica Police Officer and Evidence Technician Ryan Kelly.• Utica Police Lt. Louis Capri, executive officer of the Pa-

trol Division.• Utica Police Capt. David Mickle, commander of the Ad-

ministrative Division.Utica Post 229 Law and Order Chair Paul Wojcik intro-

duced Mayor Robert Palmieri and Police Chief Mark Wil-liams, who helped to present the top cop awards.

KELLY WAS CITED for his investigation of an apparent murder attempt or robbery gone wrong. Last December, a man with a severe neck laceration stumbled into a local cof-fee shop and collapsed. He was transported to the hospital for immediate life-saving surgery. Officer Kelly proceeded to conduct a methodical investigation, including following footprints in the snow, comparing footwear, and thoroughly searching an adjacent wooded area. As a result of his skill as an evidence technician, Kelly was able to determine that it was not the scene of a heinous crime, but an attempted

suicide. After being confronted with Officer Kelly’s evidence, the victim eventually admitted he tried to take his own life.

LIEUTENANT CAPRI was praised for outstanding performance ever since being appointed to the Department in 1995. He has served as a field training officer, an accident investigator and accident reconstructionist, uniformed patrol and tactical division sergeant, and finally lieutenant in the patrol divison. Capri has developed plans and guides for han-dling large scale events. In 2014 Lieutenant Capri was public safety incident commander for the Fay Street Warehouse im-plosion as well as for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

CAPTAIN MICKLE was praised for 24 years of service, which included commanding the Uniform Patrol Division, Tactical Unit and Internal Affairs. In 2006 he received the “Ed Ruffing” Superior Officer of the Year Award. His current assignment as Administrative Division commander includes overseeing an $18 million budget on behalf of the depart-ment, supervising fleet management, police recruiting and training, human resources, grants, information technology systems, department accreditation, and evidence processing and storage.

UTICA POST 229 HONORS 3 TOP COPS