For every North Country Honor Flight send-off ceremony, short biographies are read for each of the veterans traveling on the flight.
Flight leaders for each of the trips travel to and interview the veterans on their experiences in the service, with the write-ups then organized and read at the send-off events by North Country Honor Flight Direct of Operations Janet Duprey. The write-ups are nostalgic, heartfelt and often with a touch of humor.
Below are the biographies for the veterans who traveled on Flights 54 and 55 this past weekend. North Country Honor Flight takes area veterans on all-expense-paid flights to see the war memorials in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit northcountryhonorflight.org or call director Barrie Finnegan at 518-569-7429.
FLIGHT 54
Gary Bennett
U.S. Army 1964-1966 Vietnam
Gary had basic training at Fort Dix and AIT as a Personnel Radar Operator at Fort Riley. Assigned to Big Red One Infantry Division, Gary used an infrared telescope to detect movement and light up the night. The telescope was so bright he couldn’t see for a while after using it. Gary used 145 and 150 Howitzers and was an expert with the M-14 and M-16 rifles. Discharged, Gary missed the 3:00 a.m. bus, escorted to the airport, he was asked to re-up. His response? “Are you crazy?” Gary belongs to the Fort Covington American Legion, Massena VFW and is an Honor Guard at Brushton-Moira American Legion.
Ricky Cornish
U.S. Air Force 1972-1979 1981-1994 Vietnam
Rick enlisted, had basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. In Denver, Rick trained as an Aircraft Armament System Mechanic; known as ‘bomb loader’. Sent to Korea, an advanced training group loaded flares, bombs and rockets in the Sea of Japan. Stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Rick was a load crew member, and he then trained crews and certified their proficiency. Rick left the Air Force, re-enlisted, sent to Griffiths Air Force Base; then to Lakenheath, England.
Rick received many commendations for his 22 years of service. In retirement, Rick served as Commander and Senior Vice-Commander at Post 309, Peru VFW.
Jerome DeSnyder
U.S. Army 1967-1970 Vietnam
Graduating from dental school, Jake enlisted and was ordered to Okinawa. Married, Jake and his wife could live there but they needed to buy a house. With no money, Jake put $6,800 on his credit card.
With a large medical clinic, Jake often went to missile sites with his dental equipment to treat the soldiers. The dentists were told to care for 200 MPs leaving for Vietnam as the USS Pueblo was captured. Troops returning to Okinawa needed more dental care in three years than in 15-20 years in private practice. Jake said, “I saw stuff in the hospital I don’t ever want to see again.
Joseph Peter Dufour
U.S. Navy 1963-1967 Vietnam
Pete had basic and AIT training at Great Lakes Naval Station. Pete was a ‘ship-fitter’ and welder. Pete had four tours to Vietnam on the USS Ticonderoga (CG -47) Aircraft Carrier mostly in the Tonkin Gulf. Planes on the Ticonderoga provided air support and bombing runs over Vietnam. Pete was exposed to Agent Orange. In port, ships competed in blood draws. Pete’s captain said they went on shore if they gave blood. Pete gave blood. Pete’s first daughter was born while he was in Vietnam waters. His best day was July 8, 1967, when he got out.
Maurice Forcier
U.S. Army 1966-1969 Vietnam
Enlisting to avoid the draft, a heart murmur kept Moe from joining the Air Force. Told the Army would take anyone, Moe trained at Fort Dix. Ordered to Daruk Province, Vietnam, Moe was a heavy equipment operator, handled explosives, built roads and underground entrance roads with two 90 degree turns preventing direct fire on our troops. Asked what he liked most in Vietnam Moe said, “I survived and enjoyed camaraderie with fellow soldiers.” Moe was a close friend of Wesley Black, who passed away soon after he went on Honor Flight #34. Moe testified at the Montpelier Statehouse on the Burn Pit exposure issue.
Francis Gonyea
U.S. Army 1964-1967 Vietnam
Frank’s grandmother, saying he needed discipline, signed his enlistment at age 17. At Fort Dix, Frank trained as a truck driver. Frank serviced delivering anything and everything; mail, laundry, stones, whatever was taking place.
A spinal meningitis outbreak at Fort Ord sent Frank to Germany where he handled ammunition, and other supplies. Frank’s final position was driving the Battalion Commander. Frank had a car and a pass to leave the base. Soldiers paid him to drive them around Europe, so Frank got free trips. Asked about his military experience Frank said, “I learned discipline.” Grandmothers know best!
Walter Hamilton
U.S. Army 1967-1968 Vietnam
Walter had basic training at Fort Dix, and AIT as a crane operator at Fort Leonard Wood. Sent to Vietnam, Walter traveled shotgun on the convoys with supplies, passing food and candy to children along the road. Walter said you appreciate what you have when you see how others live. Walter recalls the snakes and spiders were everywhere. Walter had one good Thanksgiving dinner, and then it was C-rations all over again. Called home due to the death of his father, Walter was discharged. Walter and his wife Carol are proud their two sons served in the Middle East.
John Harrington
U.S. Air Force 1976-1997 Cold War
John had basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and AIT Radio Relay Communications at Keisler Air Force Base. Sent to Turkey, as a Radio Operation and Microwave Communications, John returned stateside for AIT; back to Turkey as a Maintenance and Radio Relay Communications. In Germany, John’s communications equipment was on wheels and easy to move. In the states, John performed maintenance on Missile Sites and as facility manager for Minuteman Missiles. John was really good at moving around to Wright-Patterson, Loring, MacDill, Chanute, Ellsworth, and Minot Air Force Bases. John received many commendations for his 21 years of military service.
William Kennedy
U.S. Army 1968-1971 Vietnam
Bill enlisted, trained at Fort Dix, had AIT at Fort Monmouth and military police training at Fort Gordon. Sent to the New Jersey Coast, Bill had oversight of the “blue room” observing activities should a missile need to be fired.
Assigned to Korea, Bill flew regularly with ammunition on a Chinook helicopter to the DMZ. Bill’s unit often visited a Korean orphanage playing and spending time with the children. Passing an older Korean man, Bill bought a small pepper, took a bite, lost his breath as the old man laughed. Never again! Asked about Korea, Bill said it’s hot and rainy except in January when it’s very cold.
John Leale
U.S. Air Force 1968-1988 Vietnam
John trained at Lackland Air Force Base and trained at Chanute as an Aircraft Hydraulic Repairman. John joined the 380th Field Maintenance Squadron at Plattsburgh Air Force Base. John was then sent to Clark in the Philippines. John spent four years in Hickman — Hawaii, an easy decision. At Seymour Johnson, John advanced to Aircraft Quality Control. Sent to Korea, John was the line supervisor. John returned to Plattsburgh as supervisor of the Hydraulic Shop. John said the best crews were in Plattsburgh. John received many medals and commendations for his 20 years of service to our Country.
Gary Liberty
U.S. Air Force 1974-1994 Desert Storm
Six days after Gary and Julie married, he was at Lackland Air Force Base. In Denver Gary trained as a bomb loader. Assigned to Plattsburgh Air Force Base Gary went from loading bombs to maintaining nuclear stockpiles. In Turkey, they were told not to walk near housing but to walk around to the NCO Club. After a few drinks, Gary and a friend took the short cut; a soldier dropped out of the tree with his gun pointed at them. Gary gave him a bourbon bottle, he took two swallows and let them walk away.
Gary participated in Desert Shield/Desert Storm and retired at Plattsburgh. Gary received the Kuwait Liberation Medal and several other awards for his 20 years of service to our Country.
Robert Noble
U.S. Air Force 1968-1989 Vietnam
Bob had training at Lackland Air Force Base and AIT in Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) at Chanute. On to MacDill where Bob said they delivered whatever was needed to work on the planes and they were able to lift a plane off its wheels to test the components. Bob spent five years in Anchorage, Alaska and then another year in Iceland. Bob’s final 13 years were at Plattsburgh Air Force Base. Asked about memories, Bob said he recalls going into NCO Clubs but doesn’t remember coming out! Bob received many commendations for his 21 years of military service.
Joseph Piserchia
U.S. Army 1966-1968 Vietnam
Bud was drafted, had basic training at Fort Dix. Sent to Blackstone, Bud became a food storage specialist. Bud drove forklifts and any equipments necessary to move food around. Bud was assigned to Korea where he said he met the nicest people he ever met. The food was shipped in on cargo vessels and unloaded with Army supervision. A container door opened, and Bud climbed up on a forklift to close it as a Korean worker lowered the container cutting off Joe’s toes on his right foot.
Bud was told if he stayed in Korea for three more months, the Army would discharge him three months early. Bud stayed and got his early discharge.
Roger Reil
U.S Army 1961-1964 Vietnam
Roger enlisted, had basic training at Fort Dix, AIT at Fort Knox. Assigned to Germany, Roger joined the 30th Armored Division.
Playing baseball, a friend called Roger who turned, was hit by the ball breaking all his teeth. On midnight march, a soldier accidentally hit Roger with his M-1 rifle breaking his teeth on the other side. Driving a personnel carrier, Roger got stuck, pinned between the truck and tank. The tank driver stopped in time to save Roger’s life. Later that day, Roger received a call his mother had passed. Spared, Roger’s father could have lost both his wife and son. Roger loved German beer, Octoberfest, and the girls he met.
FLIGHT 55
John Collins
U.S. Army 1966-1968 Vietnam
John was drafted, had basic and AIT Communications training at Fort Hood. Deployed to Vietnam, arriving in Chu Lai, John saw prisoners with their heads covered. John knew the war was real. John ran communications lines between artillery units. After a day of hand-to-hand fighting, nearly being overrun, the next morning they moved equipment. When told to move, they moved! One night during the Tet Offensive, soldiers sat on top of bunkers watching shelling overhead attacking the base beyond. Receiving Mail Call was huge. John saw Bob Hope and Raquel Welch. She was much better than Bob! Back in Seattle, John drank milk for the first time in a year.
Steven DeMaroney
U.S. Army 1968-1969 Vietnam
Drafted, Steve had basic training at Fort Dix, AIT training at Fort Poe. Deployed to Vietnam, Steve was an Infantry Unit Squad Leader. During a briefing, Steve fell asleep; the General told him he’d be demoted. Steve said, ‘Honestly, general, it was boring’. No demotion. In 1969, Steve was wounded by shrapnel due to land mines populated by the North Vietnamese Army. Steve was airlifted by MASH to Japan and then Korea. Before Steve’s parents knew he was wounded, they received his Purple Heart. Steve still suffers with shrapnel in his legs. In Korea, assigned to train duty, Steve checked recruits’ haircuts, sending many across the street for military haircuts.
Ronald Garrow
U.S. Marine Corps 1961-1966 Vietnam
In Vietnam, Ron was a forward observer for heavy artillery fire calling in air strikes. It was hard to watch the results. Handling an M-60 machine gun, in swamp water up to his chest, Ron heard water slushing. Ron asked ‘Who’s there?’ No answer. Ron cocked his gun and heard: “It’s me.” It was the sergeant checking on his troops. Ron was good friends with Levi Oakes, the Code Talker. A Native American, other Marines called Ron “Chief”. Ron is an Honor Flight motorcycle escort but not on his bike today. Ron sees this day as a thank you and a welcome home that he never received. We promise Ron a great day!
Dale Gonyea
U.S. Army 1969-1978 1979-2000 Vietnam
Dale had basic training at Fort Dix, AIT Technical School at Fort Eustis. Sent to Quan Loi, Vietnam, Dale was with Aviation Unit Bravo Troop 1st-9th Air Cav. A Helicopter Mechanic, Dale fixed (LOACH) light observation helicopters used as bait for enemy fire. Dale had perimeter night guard duty searching for enemy mortar and rocket attacks. Dale and Deanna married 5 days before he went to Vietnam, and she sent letters every day. Dale spent 20 years in the Medical Reserve Unit, Malone. Dale received many awards for his 28 years of service to our country.
Leo Grant
U.S. Air Force 1966-1970 Vietnam
Leo enlisted, went to Amarillo for training in supplies, maintenance and tech school.
In Japan, a radar tower location almost as large as the base was hit by an earthquake, disintegrated the causeway, leaving the radar station stranded. Leo went to Thailand north of the DMZ, across the river from Vietnam. Eight percent of air strikes happened there. One-night Vietcong cut the hydraulic lines on the aircraft. Calling an alert, troops were sent to the bunkers. Leo wouldn’t go in because of snakes. The barracks were covered with mosquito nets to keep out rats. With 10 months left, Leo still handled parts and scheduling.
John Homburger
U.S. Air Force 1969-1971 Vietnam
A draft letter for the Marines had John join the Air Force. At Lackland Air Force Base, John had tech school training as a Jet Engine Aircraft Mechanic working on the F-111s. At Nellis Air Force Base, John contracted Chron’s Disease. Sent to Tampa, John saw a specialist, and spent 2 months in the hospital. John worked on everything that flew, Air Force, Marines, Navy and Army. On ‘down-time’ John chased armadillos off the flight line. Driving a ‘follow-me truck,’ John took a shortcut in a restricted area, was stopped, laid out with guns drawn, his supervisor arrived, said don’t do it again.
Due to Chron’s Disease, John received a disability discharge.
Norma Homburger Veteran Guardian for her husband John
U.S. Army Reserves 1974-1996 Desert Storm
Norma’s career began as an LPN Medic in a 3-Tent Field Hospital in Malone. At Fort McClellan, Norma trained with an M-16 rifle, and received a Sharpshooter Badge. Sent to Fort Devins, Norma worked in tents like the MASH, M-1934 Pyramidal Tent.
During Desert Storm, Norma spent three months on the Walter Reed Army Hospital surgical ward. Tim McGraw visited the wounded veterans.
Norma said she got paid once getting in, twice to stay and once to get out! She was promoted but the Army Reserves had no job for her. Norma served our country for 22 years of medical service.
William Lyon
U.S. Army 1970-1971 Vietnam
Drafted, Bill had basic training at Fort Dix and AIT Infantry Rifleman training at Fort Polk. Deployed to Vietnam, with two months experience, Bill’s sergeant made him point man. Bill found five enemy booby traps within 100 yards of each other within a half hour while on a mission with his unit. Bill saved many lives as they continued northwest to Chu Lai. Bill was asked to return to train the troops. His mother sent a letter saying she wanted her only son home. Mom won that one! Bill liked the fruitcake C-rations, and his family still buys him mini fruitcakes and fruit cocktails.
Gerald Richard Miller
U.S. Army 1960-1980 Vietnam
Richard had basic training at Fort Benning and AIT Food Service at Fort Dix. Richard prepared and served 1,000 people per meal, 4 lines deep in the mess hall. Richard estimates he served tens of thousands of military service members. Richard was in the 9th Infantry Division during the Tet Offensive. Army troops were on defense as communists attacked 64 district capitals. Pallets were dropped by helicopter as Richard distributed C-rations for 7 days. Gerald received a Purple Heart and many other commendations for his 20 years of service. Heading to Vietnam, Richard and his wife Linda were married 57 years ago.
Roger Murray
U.S. Army 1965-1967 Vietnam
Drafted, Butch trained at Fort Dix and Fort Devins. Butch joined the 196th Light Infantry Brigade as a ‘ground pounder.’ On a ship for 30 days, through the Panama Canal, they arrived in Vietnam. At night, they set up tents. In the morning, they saw snakes coming out of ant hills. On the Saigon River, they covered with blankets to keep rats and snakes off. Transferred to the 25th Infantry Division, Butch was wounded, hospitalized 40 days, sent right back into the field. Near the Cambodian border, they called air strikes to stop Viet Cong about 150 meters away. Butch remembers jungles, rice paddies and C-rations older than him.
Lonnie Parrish
U.S. Air Force 1967-1975 Vietnam
Lonnie trained at Webb Air Force Base as an airline fighter pilot. At McConnell Air Force Base, Lonnie trained pilots on F-16 and F-4 planes. Deployed to Vietnam, Lonnie flew F-4, F-105, AT-33 fighter aircraft. Lonnie flew 360 Combat Missions. Lonnie received the Distinguished Flying Cross, numerous commendations, and 22 medals for shooting down enemy planes. Lonnie also served 16-1/2 years in the Vermont Air National Guard. After Lonnie’s first tour in Vietnam, he and his wife welcomed their first child. After his second tour, they welcomed their second child. Lonnie’s wife, Susan, said he couldn’t serve a third tour.
Ronald Robert
U.S. Navy 1967-1970 Vietnam
At the Great Lakes Naval Station, Ronnie trained in commissary, ordering, and supplying for combat; and he cooked. Aboard the USS Mount Baker (AE-4), an ammunition ship, he serviced aircraft carriers, battleships, and destroyers. Ronnie did four tours between the Philippines and Vietnam. Ronnie was aboard the USS Tawasa (ATF-92), as they rescued the USS Evans (DE-1023), towing the aft section to port. Ronnie and a friend raced rickshaws in Hong Kong; winner kept the money. Crossing the equator, Ronnie became a shellback, a Navy ritual, and he saw the Worlds’ Fair in Japan.
William Sutherland
U.S. Marine Corps 1966-1969 Vietnam
Bill enlisted, had basic training at Parris Island and then AIT at electronics school in San Diego. Deployed to Vietnam for 19 months, Bill was a Ground Radio Repairman. On his 20th birthday, Bill noticed a small sailboat as its lone occupant (Bill Shaw) was thrown into the churning seas. With no regard for his own safety, Bill, fully aware of the dangers, plunged into the water, located the occupant who was unconscious underwater. With great difficulty, Bill rescued and saved Shaw’s life. Bill was presented the Navy-Marine Corps Medal for his heroism.
Robert Titus
U.S. Army 1964-1966 Vietnam
Drafted, Bob had basic training at Fort Dix and trained at Fort Campbell assigned to Company C Engineering. Handling heavy equipment, Bob trained to build roads, bridges, air strips and learned demolition. Scheduled for Vietnam, a basketball injury sent him to the hospital. At Fort Campbell, the companies took turns receiving veterans killed in Vietnam, and handled their burials, making the war real. While hospitalized with leg issues, Bob came face to face with injured veterans. Hard to deal with. Bob served as an Honor Guard for his local American Legion and was named Legionnaire of the Year in 2011.
William Waldron
U.S. Marine Corps 1969-1975 Vietnam
Drafted, Bill and a friend stood in line in Albany. His friend asked Bill to switch places, putting Bill last in line. The officer took first, middle, and last people so Bill became a Marine. Bill had basic training at Parris Island; became a Combat Engineer at Camp Lejeune; completed Land Mine Warfare School at Camp Pendelton. Deployed to Vietnam, Bill, at Booby Trap School, was told if he found a mine, blow it up. Bill was aboard the USS Louis (LCS-19) for a month. Back stateside, Bill was released early because he was drafted. Asked about his experiences, Bill said “I just went with the flow.”