Now, keep up to date
with daily feeds of newly posted stories
about America's Seniors...click on the box
to the left
Five
Decorated Veterans inducted into Gino J.
Merli Veterans Center Hall of Fame
SCRANTON, Pa., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Five decorated
Pennsylvania veterans with lengthy service
to veterans' organizations were inducted
today into the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center
Hall of Fame.
"It is an honor to recognize these five individuals for their service
to our commonwealth and country," said Carl
Weinschenk, commandant of the Gino J. Merli
Veterans Center.
"After serving bravely during time of war, each of these inductees
dedicated themselves to helping veterans and
promoting their causes. They have earned
their place in our Hall of Fame."
The inductees are Robert L. Alper, Kingston; Almon J. Long, Larksville;
Thomas J. Mattie, Barnesville; Eugene J.
Slabinski, Hanover Township; and Robert F.
Tuffy, Dunmore.
Alper served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was inducted
into the "Chapel of the Four Chaplains" and
received the Presidential Unit Citation, the
Korean Service Medal, three Campaign Stars
and the Good Conduct Medal. He is a longtime
volunteer at the Veterans Administration
Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre and is active
in programs for veterans. He is affiliated
with VFW Post 283 and American Legion Post
395, both in Kingston.
Long is an Army veteran of the Korean War who served with the 822nd
Aviation Battalion, the 49th Bomber Wing,
the 5th Air Force and the 8th Army. He was
inducted into the "Chapel of the Four
Chaplains" and is a recipient of the
National Defense Service Medal, the Good
Conduct Medal and the Korean Service Medal.
He has been with the VFW for 52 years and
served as commander of VFW Post 283 in
Kingston and VFW Post 2433 in Union, N.J.
Mattie was severely wounded in 1969 while serving in Vietnam. He is a
recipient of the Silver Star, the Bronze
Star with V for Valor, and three Purple
Hearts with an Oak Leaf Cluster. He serves
as a life member with the Disabled American
Veterans and American Legion Post 795,
Drums, and is adjutant for AMVETS Post 1,
Scranton. He continues to work tirelessly on
behalf of veterans throughout the state.
Slabinski served for 30 years with the Air Force, Air Force Reserves
and the Army and is a veteran of the Korean
and Vietnam wars. He is a recipient of
numerous medals, including the Meritorious
Service Medal, the Air Medal and the
Commendation Medal. He has been active in
numerous veterans' organizations and is a
past commander of VFW Post 5267, Hanover
Township, as well as a member of American
Legion Post 350, Nanticoke.
Tuffy was a corporal in the Marine Corps during the Korean War and also
went on to serve with the Army Reserves,
retiring as a staff sergeant. A recipient of
the National Defense Service Medal, Tuffy is
a member of the Disabled American Veterans
and an active life member of the Northeast
Detachment of the Marine Corps League and
the American Legion Victory Post 13,
Scranton. He has been recognized for his
volunteer work at the Gino Merli facility.
Each of the state's six veterans' homes, operated by the Pennsylvania
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs,
has a hall of fame to recognize and honor
the military achievements of outstanding
veterans who have completed honorable,
active-duty military service and who reside
or have resided in the region served by the
veterans' home.
The Gino J. Merli Veterans Center, 401 Penn
Ave., Scranton, has 200 beds for
Pennsylvania veterans and their eligible
spouses. It opened in January 1994.
...
...
...