When she was a reporter for The Daily News in Batavia, Ginny Kropf wrote about Sgt. Jack Gell, a Rochester native. Gell was killed in the Vietnam War on November 14, 1965. His death was portrayed in a book and movie “We Were Soldiers Once and Young.” He was stationed at Fort Benning, which has just been renamed Fort Moore in honor of Gell’s commanding officer Lt. Col. Hal Moore and his wife Julia.

The other night just before Memorial Day I sat down to watch the national news and caught the end of a feature about the renaming of Fort Benning, Ga.

I heard the name Hal “Harold” Moore and the fact his widow had been horrified to learn spouses were being notified by telegram when their loved ones were killed in action, and she set out to do something about it. Because of her, loved ones are now notified in person, and for her efforts, Fort Benning on May 11 was officially renamed Fort Moore.

My story begins with my husband Al’s and my best friends Bob and Fran Eigenmann. They are both gone now, but the times we shared were priceless. One of those times was meeting Fran’s sister-in-law, Rebecca Gell Workentine, and her connection to Col. Hal Moore.

Fran and her brother Jack Gell grew up in Rochester. Fran and Bob had a cottage east of Shadigee for many years near Lyndonville. Jack has a nephew Togo DeBellis of Le Roy and a niece Linda Johnston of Batavia.

Jack joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. He and Rebecca “Becky” had three children, the youngest of whom was a baby when Jack left for Vietnam. They were in the car to take Jack to the bus when he said he had forgotten something and went back in the house. On the bathroom mirror, he wrote “I’ll always love you, Beck,” with her lipstick. She still has that mirror and I wanted to cry when I saw it.

I had the pleasure of meeting Becky, her children and new husband John Workentine, whom she married nine and one-half years after Jack’s death.

Becky said she drove Jack to the bus and she cried so hard on the way that the stack of diapers on the front seat was soaked.

Jack was a member of the 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary, Alpha Company. On Nov. 14, 1965 they were in the Ia Drang Valley, which would become the bloodiest battle of the Vietnam war. Jack had volunteered to carry the radio for company captain Romano “Tony” Nadal.

I interviewed Tony by phone in March 2002 and he told me 400 American soldiers were surrounded by 2,000 Vietnamese troops. He had gathered his men in a creek to go look for a missing platoon. A round of machine gun fire burst out and Jack, who was on Tony’s left, became the battle’s first casualty. He was 24 years old. Two lieutenants on his right were also killed.

After the war, Lt. Col. Moore wrote a book with journalist Joseph L. Galloway, called “We Were Soldiers Once and Young.” Later, a movie “We Were Soldiers” was made, with Mel Gibson playing Moore and Barry Pepper playing Galloway. In the book, Jack’s death is described, and as he was dying, he whispered to a buddy kneeling by his side, “Tell my wife I love her.” Until the book came out in 1992, the family never knew Jack has uttered those words. Jack wore his baby daughter’s pacifier around his neck and locks of his two other children’s hair and family photos were in his wallet.

The entire family, including Fran and Bob, were invited to the launch of the book and to the set of the movie. They met Lt. Col. Moore on the set.

When I talked to Tony Nadal on the phone, I asked him what he thought of the movie. I still hear his reply.

“I really wasn’t prepared to see him die again. Seeing Jack Gell get killed is one of the worse memories of my life. It’s a burden I carry around.”

The news of Jack’s death reached Becky by Western Union. The employee arrived in a black car wearing a black suit. Becky told me as she sat in my living room it was very foreboding and her knees shook like jelly.

“I knew it was an ominous thing and I debated whether to open the door, but knew I had to,” she said.

She was trembling so much, she couldn’t hold the pen and the man signed for her.

Jack was the first soldier from Vietnam to be buried at Fort Benning and his funeral was on national television. CBS newsman Walter Cronkite asked Becky if she would be photographed meeting the train with Jack’s casket, but she declined.

I also had the honor of talking to Lt. Col. Moore on the phone and he said it was a superb movie and he was happy it dealt with the closeness between the soldiers and their families and the heartbreak on the home front.

“It captures the action of the soldiers fighting and dying for each other,” he said. “It shows their respect for the men and their capabilities.”

The renaming of Fort Benning pays tribute to Lt. Col. Moore and his wife Julia.

I have visited Fort Benning and Jack’s grave with Fran and Bob. I later learned Lt. Col. Moore also visited his men’s graves and wanted to be buried with them, but there were no plots. So Becky, who had a plot next to Jack, gave it up so Lt. Col. Moore could be cremated and buried there and, when the time comes, his wife with him.

“He will be with his men,” Becky told me.

Editor:

Rochelle Moroz and I were married when we were serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Era.

She has always been a conscientious worker and Manager who developed and kept to a realistic budget in all her endeavors. She served honorably as military Inventory Management Specialist during the 1970s, performed exceptionally well  as a Security Policeman at Seneca Army Depot in the 1980s, successfully managed the night shift at a restaurant in the 1990s, processed on sight claims as a Red Cross worker in the 2000s, and supervised/managed a U.S. Census office supporting the 2000 Census.

Rochelle volunteers as AARP tax preparer, volunteered as a Hospice counselor, and in the 2010s completed several years as church secretary, where she also taught a quilting circle.

As Holley Village Trustee, Rochelle meticulously reviews every substantial purchase, to include equipment, supplies and services to maintain and improve quality of life  for Holley village residents.

Rochelle is a team player, and is a proven excellent steward helping to ensure the village spends within its means.

I sincerely hope that you all will support Rochelle Moroz with your vote for Village Trustee at the Holley Village Office on June 20.

William Moroz

Holley

Editor:

The first known social media site was created in 1997 and social media grown exponentially since then. Social media can influence and impact anyone in a positive or negative way, especially in the LGBTQ+ community.

Regardless of identification and orientation, everyone experiences the positive and negative effects of social media. There seems to be many negative impacts on the LGBTQ+ community, but the positives appear to outweigh them.

Many social media platforms, such as Space, an app launched for LGBTQ+ in 2022, create communities where young LGBTQ+ members can be themselves with little judgment, and find support from others. This support can be as simple as becoming online friends, leaving positive messages that focus on accepting others.

According to research, LGBTQ+ youth view their online community as more supportive than their local in-person community, because of the lack of support they might receive in interpersonal interactions. Social media can be a coping mechanism for some because it seems that young LGBTQ+ are more likely to join and engage in an online group to reduce social isolation or feelings of loneliness because they know that there are others experiencing the same thing as them. Social platforms can also be an outlet for an individual to become more confident in being themselves, as they are expressing themselves more.

For LGBTQ+ teens, social media can be a crucial source of information, education, and support. Social media can give the LGBTQ+ community a way to explore their identities and sexual orientations. It could provide the LGBTQ+ a place to advocate and fight for their rights, such platforms like Space, and it could allow the community a place to meet, organize, and share information about misconceptions and negative stereotypes.

Social media can also educate others about the community, whether they themselves are part of the community or not. If others are educated about it the world may become more accepting and positive.

There are, of course, many negative impacts of social media on LGBTQ+ teens, such as bullying and hate online. However, anyone, regardless of gender and sexual orientation, can experience the negatives of social media. This is because they are putting themselves out there to everyone’s criticisms and opinions. No matter how positively portrayed something is, some people’s opinions will still be negative and won’t change, and so the best we can do is educate others about it.

Overall, the impact of social media platforms is positive on the LGBTQ+ community. Social networks can give members of the community a safe place they would feel comfortable coming out in and expressing themselves in.

Platforms and the internet are full of information on the LGBTQ+ community and terms that people questioning identity or sexual orientation, or anyone despite their gender identity or orientation, can explore and learn.

Please consider talking to others about such an important message and our political representatives about securing these platforms for our youth.

Rosie Emery

Holley High School senior

Editor:

I met Joe Sidonio in Law Class over 40 years ago and we became best friends. It was the first day of class and Professor Barnhill came in and loudly dropped a bunch of books on the table. A hush came over the room. Mr. Barnhill said something stern to weed out the class. It worked. Half left. Not us. It was a great class and the beginning of a life long journey with a dear friend.

Our appreciation of education, the Rocky Mountains and the High Sierra cemented our relationship. It has endured despite the thousands of miles separating us. I miss him and you are fortunate to have him.

Assimilating back into society from his Marine Corps service, Joe found solace in Yellowstone, walking alone in the land of the Grizzly, long before the advent of bear spray. He mentions that as a lesson in humility.

Joe’s vision is molded by his life’s experiences. His view of the world was shaped, in part, by his life above the tree line, where what is important in life comes into sharp focus, sometimes very quickly.

It was on Vennacher Col, a high and windswept cross-country Sierra pass where Joe’s mettle was tested. I managed to rip up the tendons of my right ankle in an accident brought on by, (how do I put this gently?) stupidity and overconfidence. It was the worst backcountry injury I have ever suffered. Joe stuck by my side helping me as I hobbled out of the wilderness. You can’t buy friendship like that…..

We have explored the windswept heights of the Tetons, the Gallatin Range and the “Range of Light.” We have climbed Electric Peak, roamed on the Froze to Death Plateau, scaled Granite Peak in Montana and wandered on many peaks and passes in my corner of the world, the High Sierra.

I attended Joe’s wedding in Holley decades ago. It is a nice, sleepy place. Not much going on and that’s OK. Joe has shared his thoughts and dreams of what could be. His willingness to contribute is noteworthy to me. Joe has sacrificed much to help his community. When asked why he simply says: “someone has to do it.”

Joe has great spirit when faced with a challenge. He doesn’t give up, learns from his mistakes, and always keeps climbing upward.

Joe is a good man, has raised a wonderful family, cares for his community and is someone that you can trust to keep his word. Isn’t that what is important in life?

Sid Cronin

Donner Summit, CA

Editor:

Do not cry.

A soft warm wind blows

over a field where poppies

grow with their heads held

high to the sky.

The field is filled row upon row with white

crosses at attention as sentries

in honor of our buddies below.

Please do not cry, we gave our all

so there would be freedom for all.

All we ask of you, pray for our souls,

loved ones and for peace. Be grateful

for us, honor our flag old glory,

salute it.

Now as the sun sets and evenings shadows fall

we say our prayers and give thanks to our supreme

commander.

The air calm, the evening shadows fade,

the sun sinking lower in the sky.

Nearby stands a soldier at attention with a bugle playing taps.

We are at peace and at rest where the poppies

grow row on row with their heads reaching

toward the heavens among the white crosses.

Do not cry for us.

Carl Boyle

Medina

(Mr. Boyle is a U.S. Army veteran and member of the American Legion Post 1603 in Lyndonville.)

Editor:

A nurse’s job description is assessing, observing, and speaking to patients. Nurses record and look at the details and symptoms of the patient’s medical history and current health. They help prepare patients for surgeries and exams, also give patients their medications and treatments, and then check on them regularly to look for side effects.

Nurses are essential to our healthcare system and play a major part in ensuring their patients get the best care possible, but it is a difficult profession to navigate and balance one’s own health.

Our current system forces nurses into difficult and unfair positions, where they are sadly positioned to fail. Most hospitals are understaffed, which causes nurses to be overworked and become burned out.

This burnout creates an environment with patient care is less than spectacular. The constant stress of assisting ill patients, and the inevitable strain of losing those you care for are daunting hurdles to overcome each day. Another issue is the lack of resources and support for nurses. Nurses sometimes don’t have access to the supplies and equipment they need and have a higher risk of getting sick because they are always around ill patients.

Nurses are also undervalued and not respected the way they should be. A way to help address these issues is to invest in nurses by providing them with the necessary resources, supplies and staffing to prevent burnout and ensure nurses can serve for long careers.

Our society needs to start advocating and supporting nurses more by showing up for them and fighting to make their workplaces better. Another way individuals can support this profession is by encouraging the younger generation to go into nursing to help to avoid nurses being overworked and show a new appreciation for what they do. Some ways to help this shortage are changing the educational model, and by making training programs more creative and flexible.

Another way to help nurses is prioritizing the workplace culture and ensuring their mental health is addressed to create longevity in the profession. Also, talk to your political representatives about the struggle of nurses and how we can help as a community to avoid these challenges and improve their workspace.

Emma Downey

Holley High School senior

Editor:

Cybercrime is the criminal activity that either targets or uses a computer network to obtain personal or government information.

The United States has invested approximately $10.9 billion into cybersecurity since 2007. Cybersecurity is meant to protect government information such as weapon blueprints, plans of attack, and other important documents from being leaked to threatening countries, such as Russia.

United States citizens need to be aware that technology is advancing, but not just for us. While our technology and security are advancing, enemy countries are advancing as well, as stated above.

We the people of the United States have a responsibility as citizens to protect our country from any cyber threats, especially those sponsored by foreign nations. As citizens, we can assist this effort by asking what our next president, senator, or representative will do to protect us from cyberattacks.

Cyber criminals are highly intelligent human beings and will continue to hack the United States technological systems until they discover valuable information that can bring them wealth and power.

The United States needs to put up a wall of security to protect our country’s technological information so those criminals cannot get what they want. They need to be stopped and we the people of the United States can make that happen.

When it comes to our next elections, make sure to ask our representatives, “What are your plans to stop the United States from cyber-attacks?”

Erin DeFrank

Holley High School senior

Editor:

On Saturday, May 6th, more than two dozen Scouts, their leaders and parents from Troop and Pack 164 along with Girl Scouts and Brownies from 82261 and 82007 continued a tradition of placing US flags on veterans’ graves.

They honored more than 2,000 veterans at both Mount Albion and new Saint Joseph’s cemeteries within 3 hours! American Legion Sheret Post 35 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Strickland Post 4635 are grateful for their time and support as we could not do it without them.

This effort would also not be possible without adequate funding.

The VFW and American Legion together spend approximately $3,000 each year purchasing flags for distribution at central Orleans County cemeteries. This does not include the markers denoting which war or conflict a veteran participated in.

We are thankful to the Towns of Albion, Barre, Carlton and Village of Albion for their financial support in 2022-23. As well, to the volunteers like the Scouts and the public for their donations.

If you are a veteran, I encourage you to get involved now with a VFW, American Legion or other similarly purposed organization. Please help us to continue the traditions of honoring our veterans and their sacrifices.

Sincerely,

Matt Passarell

VFW Post 4635

Albion

Editor:

Mr. Remley, in his letter to the editor of 13 May entitled “5 school districts should become one in Orleans County” has taken a logical step towards consolidation. He is correct.

Why five superintendents with redundant staffs, buildings, maintenance, buses, drivers – and the list goes on. Five superintendents at almost $800,000 when one could do the job as exemplified in thousands of counties in the US.

If the 5 supers would like to show that five independent schools districts are an efficient, logical and economical way to go, there is a simply way for them to prove their point. They should join with the county legislators and ask the NY State Government Service Dept. (phone 518 473 3355, ask for Eric) to fund an unbiased feasibility survey on the consolidation of the five schools systems and county functions. Without proof from a unbiased third party, the 5 supers’ opinions, are just opinions.

Now is the time for facts. Will the county legislators take a stand on this issue?  I respectfully ask the County Legislature to respond to this letter and to Mr. Remley’s.

Jack Capurso

Albion High School Class of 1960

Ashburn, Va.

Editor:

In light of the fact that consolidation is front and center as of late, it is past time for Orleans County to establish a single, unified school district.

Let me be clear: nothing herein should be construed to denigrate or withhold support from the dedicated and talented teaching faculties and administrators employed by the county’s five school districts. The average annual salary of a Master’s Degree professional in the U.S. is in excess of $75,000, regardless of years of experience. It takes more than a decade for most public school teachers to attain that level of income. Teachers should be paid as the professionals they are.

Facts first: Albion, Medina, Holley, Kendall, and Lyndonville combined enroll approximately 5,220 students. Their budgets total $148,183,958 for the next fiscal year. Per pupil spending is approximately $28,500. Two of the five districts are raising taxes by 1.5% and 1% per $1,000 of assessed property. Noted, re: the majority of school budgets are paid for by the State. The overall population of Orleans County has declined from a high in 2000 of 44,171 to 39,318 today (-11% in 22 years) per census estimates as of 2022.

There should be one, unified district with five elementary schools (Lyndonville, Kendall, Holley, Medina and Albion), three middle schools (Albion, Medina and Holley), and one high school in Albion.

Think of the savings. Nine buildings instead of twelve. One district office in lieu of five. The five Superintendents earned $796,000-plus in salaries in 2022 alone. The Districts each employ dozens of administrators and run their own bus garages. When isn’t there a ballot measure to authorize the purchase of a bus or two? The longest ride from the corners of the county to AHS is 30 minutes. It defies logic to try to justify all of that infrastructure for districts that graduate fewer than 60 students in a class. The duplicative nature of the status quo is unsustainable.

On the other hand, it will be argued: (1) that there is something unique about rural education; (2) consolidation will ruin sports rivalries; and/or (3) a relative or a friend will lose a job.

Let me respond in turn. (1) The district is still a rural district and it would be able to marshal more resources for special needs programs and extracurriculars than it can when it must employ nearly five of everything. (2) Numerous districts have already combined athletics programs and a single district would be better positioned to compete with larger districts in Sections V and VI. (3) Be intellectually consistent. You cannot have your cake and eat it too.

Either you’re for consolidation and easing tax burdens or you’re for redundancy. It cannot be both.

Consolidation often fails because of nostalgia, nepotism and whataboutism. Demographic and economic realities dictate new and innovative modes of thinking.

Andrew “Drew” Remley

Boston, Mass. and former Albion resident

Editor:

This week, many homeowners in Orleans County received new assessments reflecting the unprecedented home value rise over the last several years.

We have received many calls at the local school districts inquiring about what the new assessments will do to the tax rates.

As a local taxing authority, the school district has no control over the tax rate or a house’s assessed value. A school district can control the tax levy, which is the amount of money the school can collect for taxes in a given year. That number does not change with the assessments that many have received.

In practical terms, if the total assessed value of the property in the school district doubled, the school tax rate would be cut in half. Once the assessment rolls are finalized, the county assessor will determine the total assessed value of each school district, divide that total assessed value by the amount of the tax levy, and establish a tax rate for each school district.

However, it is very important to note that not everyone’s assessment changes equally when reassessment happens. One person’s home assessment may have increased by $50,000, while another person’s home assessment may have increased by $150,000. Because of the difference in assessment changes, some people may ultimately find that the total amount of taxes they pay decreases.

There has also been some chatter on social media that states that schools and local governments use the increased assessments to take more in tax money. In Orleans County, that is simply not true.

In some communities, school districts tell voters, “The tax rate is unchanged,” implying that there will be no tax increase while at the same time raising their tax levy by the same percentage their total assessed value has increased. For those districts that do this, they will collect more money with taxes while at the same time claiming that they did not raise the tax rate. We feel doing that is unethical, lacks transparency, and causes taxpayers to lose trust in the schools.

In Orleans County, the school districts will always be honest with taxpayers during the budget process, and will never resort to a tactic that we just described. We will always discuss our tax levy, as that is the only part of a school tax bill where the district has direct control.

We would like to thank everyone for their continued support of our schools. Sincerely,

Mickey Edwards, Superintendent, Albion CSD

Brian Bartalo, Superintendent, Holley CSD

Nicholas Picardo, Superintendent, Kendall CSD

Sharon Smith, Superintendent, Lyndonville CSD

Mark Kruzynski, Superintendent, Medina CSD

Editor:

No playground!

While at a family picnic at the pavilion in Holley, there was no playground for our children to play on. Don’t the taxpaying parents and grandparents of Holley deserve to have a place for their children to play.

It was there and enjoyed by many. Now it is gone. This is appalling!

Arlene Peone

Holley

Editor:

Orleans County property taxes are burdensome. It does not have to be this way. Many counties in New York State have eliminated the town governments and consolidated the functions into their county.

There is no logic to Orleans County having ten towns and four villages governments, all with water departments, notaries, records centers, tax collectors, highway maintenance, code enforcement, courts, and various permits, licenses and certifications. With all of the duplication, it is only logical that taxes are high and going higher every year.

Many have told me there is not a single politician who will come forward and advocate consolidation to save the taxpayers money. They say every Republican and Democrat is opposed to it because in the short term it may hurt their re-election prospects when jobs are consolidated.

While both political parties may refuse to talk about consolidation, New York State has a program whereby the people can take charge of the process and force their local governments to vote on consolidation, even if the town governments are opposed to it. The step-by-step process is provided in “The Reorganization of Local Government: A Summary of the Government Reorganization Process” and “The Citizen’s Guide to Petitioning For Local Government Consolidation or Dissolution.”

In addition the New York State, Division of Local Government Service, has a grant program that can provide up to $100,000 to conduct a feasibility study of consolidation. These guides give the power to the people.

What is needed is for residents to join together, form a county-wide committee and start the process. The NY State Division of Local Government Services at (518) 473-3355 is available to explain the process

Taxes in the county can be reduced. If the politicians refuse to help, it is now up to the citizens to make it happen.

Jack Capurso

Albion High School, Class of 1960

Ashburn, Va.

Editor:

Arming school security can potentially save many lives. Since the 1990s, school shootings have increased, resulting in new requirements to protect students.

In 2022 alone, there were 51 school shootings in the United States. Schools across the country are taking action by adding armed security, adding more cameras, and creating a safe environment for students overall.

Some students and parents want armed security in schools. “We want our children to be safe and free from any wrongdoing in their school day,” said Samuel Cruz, a parent. “We want some kind of armed security to be in place to deter these violent acts towards our children.”

His comment was reported by the New York State School Boards Association. Mr. Cruz has not witnessed a school shooting at his school district in North Carolina but wants the best for his child.

“They need to be well trained in using firearms and have easy access to a gun if a person attacks the school,” ninth-grader Rebecca McKenzie of Georgia said in a news report from Voice of America. Rebecca has not experienced a school shooting but fears one as well.

In Dixon, Illinois, an armed security guard shot at and chased an active school shooter away from the school in 2018. The school shooter was carrying a 9mm semiautomatic rifle. This security guard’s heroic actions saved the lives of students and teachers. Security was able to injure the shooter in the leg and scared the shooter away, who was later detained by police.

Once an active shooting is reported, police can arrive within five minutes but when dealing with the lives of children, every second counts. In May of 2022, nineteen children and two teachers died in a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and that does not include the many that were injured. These school shootings leave an immense impact in the hearts of families across the country. Any method schools can use to help protect students should be used.

Educating school districts on armed security can hopefully inform them on how important it is to keep students safe. The more trust students have with school resource officers and police will help students be ready to learn and helps them be relaxed. We must take action and speak to our representatives and school board members regarding the integration of armed security in our schools.

Shannon Kelly

Holley High School senior

Editor:

The butchers are coming!

The butchers are coming!

Sound the alarm to every township, village and farm.

Don’t leave your tree unguarded for a minute or you will come home to find a v chopped in it.

It will make no difference if it is thirty feet from the road and in forty years will never grow near their poles.

The utility says tough and butchers can do as they please.

They care not a whit about your beautiful tree.

Plant trees on your Arbor Day to save the earth, but know that the butchers can’t see its worth.

Have your wind and solar to help climate change they say, but distribute it in the same old way.

It’s been the same for more than a hundred years and every time it weathers brings the no power fears.

We can’t get it under the ground to avoid the wind, ice and snow, because that would eat into our profits don’t you know.

So save the planet, but shed a tear for the beautiful trees that used to be here.

Danise Austin

Albion