Finger Lakes Today

At a ceremony held on October 30 at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua, Senator Pam Helming honored 21 veterans from her district. These individuals have been nominated for the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. Next year, one nominee will be selected as the 2025 Inductee to the Hall of Fame.

The nominees include Eric Lang from Ontario County, Joseph Donald Telaro from Monroe County, Lance Rearick from Ontario County, Alex Pierce from Livingston County, Peter Gilbert from Ontario County, Michael O'Connell from Monroe County, Richard Baskin from Ontario County, Salvatore Marcera from Monroe County, Arthur Paliani from Ontario County, Thomas Parker from Ontario County, Ermil (Bud) Peglow* from Ontario County, Eric Linke from Ontario County, Lewis Robert (Bob) Lash from Ontario County, Robert Haggett from Monroe County, Robert F. Heintzelman from Wayne County, David Brisbane from Ontario County, Morris Lew from Ontario County, Norris (Doc) Conklin* from Ontario County, Paul Buchanan* from Livingston County, Sean Edmunds from Wayne County and John (Jack) Ambrose Jr. also hailing from Ontario (*recognized posthumously).

Senator Helming expressed her admiration for these veterans by stating: “From Korea to Vietnam and the Global War on Terror, these remarkable veterans served our country with unparalleled honor and dedication. Many of them returned home only to continue their service within their communities—a nurse who despite battling PTSD worked with fellow veterans at the local VA hospital; another who became a foster parent; and others who have coached youth sports and served in their local American Legions. On Veterans Day and every day we owe them a profound debt of gratitude for their enduring commitment to our nation and each of us.”