Now that the Jackals regular season has drawn to an end, our ZiffLaw Veteran of the Game promotion must also sadly draw to its conclusion.

We want to thank the many veterans, and their proud families and friends, who participated in this promotion. I can’t tell you how nice it was to meet these veterans and hear their wonderful stories.

I know it sounds clichéd but it made me very proud to be an American! Below are the photos and stories of the veterans we were proud to honor:

Matt Fogarty (with Attorney Christina Bruner Sonsire)

A lifelong resident of Elmira, a 1994 Graduate of Notre Dame and having obtained his MBA from Kutztown, Matt is a member of the 56th Stryker Brigade/ 19D Cavalry Scout. His tours include Iraq where he was involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Brett York (right, with Attorney Adam Gee)

Brett, a lifelong resident of Elmira, New York and a 1998 graduate of Elmira Southside served in the US Army from 2003-2006. His tours include Korea and Iraq.

John Canestaro – John, an Elmira resident served in the US Army for 20 years at the rank of Sgt. First Class. He served in the 82nd Airborne Division, the 4th Infantry Division, the 25th Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division. In 2005, he retired after 20 years of active duty and is a Disabled American Veteran. Today, John serves as a Veterans’ Counsel with the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs.

Heather Klose Capra (with Attorney Jim Reed)

Heather was an Air Force Medic and promoted to Sgt. 1 year out of basic training. She served as a medic during her military career serving at the Kandahar, Afghanistan Hospital where she was a leader on a team of multinational medics providing daily care for the wounded. Heather is a life-long resident of Elmira where she resides with her husband Eric, an Air Force Veteran having served in Kosovo.

Beau Simpson (with Attorney Jim Reed)

A lifelong resident of Chemung County, Beau was home on leave in December from Kabul Afghanistan and able to attend a Jackals game. Beau is an Engineer running convoy and building airstrips in Afghanistan.

Richard Reynolds – Richard, a resident of Elmira Heights, served active duty in the US Navy from 1975-1979. His tours included 2 years in Holy Loch, Scotland and a 6-month Mediterranean tour sailing aboard the USS Holland servicing Subron #13 and Poseidon Class Subs. His second ship tour was on the USS Shenandoah where he served in the weld shop repairing high-pressure steam and fuel lines.

Bob Bly (with Attorney Christina Bruner Sonsire)

Bob, a Horseheads native, served in the US Air Force from 1969-73 as an Avionics Technician working on F4 Phantom Jets. He spent 3 years in England during his enlistment. He continues his military career as a Veterans Benefits Advisor, which he has done for the past 20 years. He graduated from Edison High in 1969 and St. John Fisher College in 1980.

Alan Cecce (with Attorney Adam Gee)

A native of Elmira, Alan was active in the US Navy from 1980 through 1996. During his military career he attended school in FL and MD. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, CA, AK, Scotland and TX. Alan resides in Elmira with his family.

Nick Becker – A lifelong resident of Chemung County and a 1996 graduate of Southside High School with early enlistment in the Army National Guard where he served until 2006. Nick served 2 tours in Germany, 1 in Honduras and a 14 month tour in Afghanistan. Nick has also been involved in numerous State activations such as New York City after 911, the Buffalo Ice Storm, the Ice Storm of 1998 and Subway Security in 2002.

Walter Baroody – Walter, a Bath, New York resident served in the US Army from 1972-1975 as an E-5 Specialist and Medic at the Walmac Army Hospital in NC. He was then transferred to Germany where he served for 2 years as a medic in the pediatric clinic of the hospital. Once returning home, he began work at the Bath National Cemetery, having worked through the ranks, he is now the Director of the Bath and Woodlawn National Cemetery’s. Walter has devoted 39 years of dedicated service to our government.

Bradley Hill (shown with Annette Viselli Thorne)

Bradley is a life long resident of Elmira having graduated from EFA. He was a Marine from 2003-2005. While serving, Bradley was a member of Convoy Security and did a tour in Iraq in 2005.

Kim Eveland (shown with Attorney Christina Bruner Sonsire)

Kim, an Elmira resident enlisted in the US Army Reserves just prior to graduation leaving for boot camp on her 18th birthday where she served from 1989 through 1997 as a Sgt. During her enlistment, she was activated for the Gulf War and served nobly stateside. Today, Kim lives in Elmira where she is an account manager at Perry & Carroll. She continues to give back to her community by being an advocate for those less fortunate.

Mark Frampton (shown with Attorney Adam Gee)

Col. Frampton, a lifelong resident of Elmira entered the US Marines in 1979 commissioned as a 2nd Lt. He was further promoted to Major in 93’; Lt. Col. In 97’ and Colonel in 03’. Col Frampton served as a construction/engineering consultant; asst. deputy director for strategic training team, base commander, and President of two separate promotion boards.

Col. Frampton has served in Okinawa, Parris Island, Camp LeJeune, Desert Storm where his company captured and processed over 800 enemy POW’s without incident, Quantico and Iraq. For his efforts in Iraq, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal. Col. Frampton recently spent the past 5 months on Active Duty at Quantico, reprising his roles as a construction/engineering consultant. He officially retired on January 1, 2010 after 30 years of service. Col. Frampton returned to his hometown with his wife and 3 children to operate Frampton Construction while pursuing the ownership and construction of a sports dome in the greater Elmira area.

Bill Pint (shown with Attorney Jim Reed)

Bill, a resident of Horseheads, New York served in the US Navy from 1960-66 as an Airman/Plane Captain servicing airplanes during the Cuban Crisis and Vietnam Era. In 1980, he re-entered the military in the Army Reserves where he served until 1994. While in the reserves, he was a Drill Sgt. Serving active duty in Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991 and training troops at Ft. Wood for deployment to Saudi Arabia.

Jessica Plummer and Attorney Jim Reed

Jessica, an Elmira native is a Cadet Captain and currently serves alongside the US Air Force as a member of the Civil Air Patrol who assists with all needs of the Air Force. The Civil Air Patrol is recognized throughout the US and currently has more than 50 wings. In January 2009, Jessica was involved in the recovery of the plan disaster on the Hudson River. Jessica is very proud to be a member of the Civil Air Patrol and serving her country.

Carlyle Sherman and Annette Viselli Thorne

A Valley native, Carlyle served in the US Army from 1960 through 1962 at the rank of a Tech 4 and as a demolition specialist. Lyle served state side training soldiers for various tours of duty.

Dave Hansen and Attorney Jim Reed

Dave served in the US Air Force at the rank of Airman E-4. He was stationed at George Air Force Base in CA and served as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Mechanic repairing all aircraft support equipment. Dave’s tours of duty include Desert Storm from August 1990 through June 1991. Dave owns Dave Hansen Plumbing, Elmira.

Darryl Mickley and Attorney Adam Gee

Darryl served in the US Army from 1981 through 1991 as a Sgt. From 1981-83 he served with Combat Support Company 3rd Battalion 6th Infantry in Berlin West Germany; from 1983-86 he served with Combat Support Company 1st Battalion 58th Infantry at Ft. Benning, GA; from 1986-1989 he served with Headquarters in West Germany; from 1989-1991 he served with Alpha Battery 21st Field Artillery in Ft. Hood, Texas; in 1990 he was deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield and in 1991 he participated in Desert Storm with the liberation of Kuwait. A decorated Veteran, Darryl has been honored with many awards including Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Expert infantrymen’s Badge.

Andrew Hamilton and Attorney Adam Gee

Andrew entered the US Army in August, 1993. He served in the 1st Armored Division in Germany. He was deployed to Bosnia with NATO forces for 1 yr. in support of Operation Joint Endeavor. In 1998 Andrew left active duty for National Guard service in NY. On 9/12/01 he was deployed to NYC to support recovery in the grim aftermath of the attack on the Twin Towers. In 2003, he was deployed to Iraq with the 1st Infantry Division for 1 year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Andrew is now teaching English at Corning West High School

Andy Gessick

Andy, a 20-year Veteran served as a Tech Sgt. For the United States Air Force with duties in Jordan, Spain and Germany. While stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, SC with the 363 Tac Fighter Wing, the Fighting Falcons, he participated in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm as a Weapons Loading Crew Chief supervising the loading of bombs and missiles on F-16 Fighter Aircraft. For this action, Andy was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Serve Medal, South East Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars and the Kuwait Liberation Medal for this action.

Thomas Walker

Thomas completed a 20-year career with the US Navy in 2006 serving as a Navy Counselor First Class. Since his retirement, he has become the Veterans Education Benefits Assistant at Mansfield University as well as a student there attending graduate school in the Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership Program.

George Collins – George joined the Army National Guard in 199 and was trained as a tank mechanic. He has served with Charlie Company 3rd of the 103rd Armor Regiment since his entrance. In January, 2005, George was activated and spent six months in combat training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. He was then deployed to Iraq where he spent 1 year attached to the 1st of the 100th Headquarters Company where he continued as a tank mechanic. George is still active in the Army National Guard and he resides in PA with his wife and two daughters.

Andy McMinds

Having just completed his military career on March 1st, 2010, Andy was a Petty Officer 2nd class in the United States Navy. During his enlistment, Andy served as an Intelligence Specialist for Naval Criminal Investigations Service. His tours of duty included South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Headquarters NCIS in Washington, DC. Andy was awarded numerous awards and medals to include the Surface Warfare insignia and the Meritorious Unit Accommodation

DeeJay Swain – A 2001 graduate of Elkland High School, he joined the Marine Corp Reserves in 2002 and served through 2006. In 2006 he joined the PA Army National Guard. During his military career his tours included Africa in 2005 for Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection where he guarded Camp Lemonier and conducted Force Protection where he guarded Camp Lemonier and conducted anti- terrorism missions. In 2007 while with the Guard, he was deployed to Afghanistan with Provincial Reconstruction Team where he assisted the local government with humanitarian aid missions. He now resides in PA with his wife and two children.

Ryan Rice

Ryan enlisted in the US Navy in 2004 participating in the DEP Recruit Program his senior year in high school. He left for boot camp in July, 2005 and from there was stationed in Pensacola and Keesler Air Force Base where he assisted in the clean up and rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. Ryan achieved the Rank of Petty Officer Third Class during his 4 year enlistment.

Jeffrey Beck

Staff Sgt. Beck enlisted in the US Army in 1989 as an M-1 Tank Crewman. He served 4 years active duty with tours in KY, Korea and TX. In 1994, Jeffrey re-enlisted into the PA Army National Guard with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion 103 Armored Regiment. In 2002, he was deployed to Germany in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and in 2005 to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is currently the fill-time training NCO for Charlie Company with a total of 19 years of military service.

George Campbell (with Jim Reed)

George graduated from Spencer High School in 1993 and joined the Army in 1994. He graduated from Basic training with a specialty training as an Apache Attack helicopter crew chief. George was stationed in such places as Korea, Germany, Colorado Springs. He was deployed to Bosnia in 2000 on a peace-keeping mission and to Iraq on 2 separate deployments for a total of 2 years and was involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom. George resides locally with his family and is employed at Schweitzer Aircraft.

Thanks for reading,

Jim
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James B. Reed, Esq.
Personal Injury & Malpractice Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866 Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:[email protected] http://www.zifflaw.com
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