ALBION – The Lyndonville Central School Class of 1979 held their 40th Class Reunion on Friday, July 5, with many of the graduating class attending. It was held at Tillman’s Village Inn in Albion.
The evening was emceed by Student Council President Michael Polite. Speakers for the evening included Dawn (Dix) Fraser, Class of 1979 president, and Salutatorian Brenda (Woodworth) Lindsay.
The re-crowning of Homecoming King Larry Bakeman and Queen Dawn (Dix) Fraser was complete with crown and tiara. Guests from out of town came from Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. Many of the class members still remain in Orleans County or surrounding areas of the state. The next reunion is scheduled in five years for 2024.
Pictured, from left, in front row, include: Brenda (Woodworth) Lindsay, Kathy Kage, Cathy (Whipple) LaBrecque, Dolores (Petrie) Armbrust, Renee (Eddy) Broadwell, Judy (Eddy) Preedom, Tammy (Foss) Toma and Ann (Barry) Kay.
Standing: Dawn (Bale) Marciszewski, Dawn (Dix) Fraser, Tim Feldman, Marcia (Eberle) Merritt, Bruce Sentiff, Pam Turner, Steve Fraser, Candy (Osborne) Jones, Kenny Knight, Delbert Young, Mike Polite, Larry Bakeman, Alfred (Buddy) Bickle, Jackie (Dennis) Petrie, Jim Robinson, Steve Wilklow, Dave Hydock and Dan Rutherford.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 July 2019 at 2:50 pm
Photos from New York Mets
NEW YORK – David Bellavia winds up to toss out the first pitch on Wednesday during the game between the New York Mets and New York Yankees.
Bellavia, a Lyndonville graduate and local resident, received the Medal of Honor on June 25 from President Donald Trump during a ceremony at the White House. Bellavia was recognized for his actions on Nov. 10, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. He led an infantry squad clearing houses of insurgents.
Bellavia had a busy Wednesday, when he rang the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange.
After his appearance at the Stock Exchange, Bellavia headed to Citi Field to throw out the first pitch.
He is pictured with, from left, New York Mets players Todd Frazier, Jacob deGrom and Dominic Smith.
Mets catcher Wilson Ramos poses with Bellavia after the ceremonial first pitch.
The Mets posted the photos on their social media accounts with the hashtag: “??#BiggerThanBaseball.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2019 at 2:04 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The local organization Orleans – Recovery Hope Begins Here carried portraits of people who have died from drug addiction.
Tami Ashton, right, and her mother Linda Fisk both carried the photo of Tami’s daughter, Christina, who died of an overdose at age 34 on June 27, 2016. Christina’s daughter, Hayley Farewell, carried the banner for Orleans – Recovery Hope Begins Here during the Lyndonville parade on Thursday.
“Our goal was to open peoples’ eyes,” Tami Ashton said today. “That’s the message that it can affect anybody. It crosses all races, income levels. Addiction does not discriminate.”
The group carried the photos of about 30 people who have died from addiction, including 14 in Orleans County.
Ashton said many people clapped or touched their hearts and thanked the group for bringing awareness to the issue, while other people expressed disproval for the group’s message during the Fourth of July parade.
Ashton participated with a group from Monroe County in the Lilac Festival parade in May, where they carried portraits of people who died from addiction. Ashton shared that experience with the local Orleans – Recovery Hope group and they wanted to do it for the Lyndonville parade.
Some parents or siblings of people who died of addiction asked that their loved ones’ portraits be in the parade, while the family didn’t think they could emotionally march in the event.
Wayne Litchfield, an Orleans – Recovery Hope volunteer, holds the portrait of the late Maya Colombo of Webster.
Gates to Recovery, which is based on Buffalo Road in Rochester, brought its vehicle to the parade which includes images of people who have died from addiction. S.O.A.R.S. (Substance Overdose Awareness Recovery Services) in Rochester also joined in the Lyndonville parade.
The Gates to Recovery van included the messages: “It’s in my family, too” and “Recovery is possible.”
“Thank you S.O.A.R.S, Gates to Recovery and everyone that walked & pitched in,” Orleans – Recovery Hope posted on its Facebook page after the parade. “We will continue to work to shatter the stigma of this horrendous disease, addiction.
“We will continue to shout from the mountain tops that addiction has no boundaries. We will continue to help anyone that needs it, whether you are a family member, someone in active use, in recovery or lost a loved one to this horrendous disease. We are here for you.”
Kim Lockwood, center in back, holds the portrait of the late Gabby Dusett. Lockwood said participating in the parade was the most powerful thing she has ever done. She wants to help change the way people look at addiction. The portrait of Mark Kinsey is carried at left. The Clarendon resident died at age 35 of an overdose on June 1.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2019 at 9:50 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – People lined Main Street for the annual Fourth of July parade in Lyndonville, which lasted more than an hour an included many fire trucks, floats for businesses and organizations, and marching bands.It was another hot parade with temperatures near 90 degrees.
Girl Scouts in Troop 82040 in Lyndonville wore red, white and blue and had a display of local soldiers as part of their float.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley wore a patriotic shirt while passing out candy on Main Street.
Lyndonville had a big turnout from the band for the parade that started at LynOaken Farms at Platten and Alps roads.
Greg Dugan, left, and the Knights of Columbus recognized the different branches of the military.
A member of Save Ontario Shores was decked out in red, white and blue. She took a selfie during the parade.
Brandon and Stephanie Scholes promoted an axe-throwing business that is expected to open next month or September by Dubby’s Wood Fired.
Wayne Teaven served as the parade emcee. Tom Mazerbo of Stafford served as the parade emcee and DJ for about 25 years. He passed away on March 1 at age 67. Teaven acknowledged Mazerbo’s long tenure of service. Teaven also commended the late Richard Pucher for his years of work on the Fourth of July festival in Lyndonville.
Michael Haight of Albion brought a top dragster to the parade. He races it at Empire Dragway in Leicester. The veicle can go 0 to 137 in 5 seconds. Haight calls it “Raisin Hell” in honor of his mother, who loved California raisins.
The Lyndonville Fire Department had a display of three soldiers from Lyndonville, including two who won the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award.
David Bellavia, a Lyndonville graduate, received the Medal of Honor on June 25 from President Donald Trump during a ceremony at the White House. Bellavia was recognized for his actions on Nov. 10, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. He led an infantry squad clearing houses of insurgents.
Bellavia had a busy Wednesday, when he rang the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange and later threw out the first pitch during the Mets game against the New York Yankees at Citi Field.
Forrest Vosler of Lyndonville was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II. He was a technical sergeant serving as a radio operator-air gunner on a heavy bombardment aircraft in a mission over Bremen, Germany, on December 20, 1943.
Vosler was severely injured in the mission but kept firing his guns and declined to take first-aid treatment. The radio equipment had been rendered inoperative during the battle, and when the pilot announced that he would have to ditch, although unable to see and working entirely by touch, Vosler finally got the set operating and sent out distress signals despite several lapses into unconsciousness, according to his Medal of Honor citation.
Sgt. Trevor T. Cook of Lyndonville was 25 when he was killed in a helicopter crash during a training exercise on July 6, 2011. Cook joined the Marines and served two tours overseas. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California and was a skilled crew chief and marksman.
Pudgie’s Veggies has fun on the float during the parade.
The Bogan and Tuttle Funeral Home debuted a carriage hearse the funeral home recently acquired, and then repainted and refurbished.
Earl Schmidt, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, passes out flags to people along the parade route.
Diane Thurber of the Oak Orchard Assembly of God Church in Medina helps promote the church’s Vacation Bible School from July 7-10. The church’s display included a banner of David Bellavia and also highlighted veteran David Riviere who is in the back of the pickup truck.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2019 at 8:17 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – It was another spectacular fireworks show to cap the Fourth of July celebration at Lyndonville last night.
Young Explosives was cheered by the crowd on the school lawn many times during a nearly 40-minute show that ended with a crowd-pleasing finale that lit up the sky.
A big crowd of people brought blankets and lawn chairs to watch the show behind the school on the athletic fields.
Before the fireworks, Aniyahe Schurr, 8, of Lockport had fun with sparklers.
David Davey Jr., 5, of Lockport joined his sister Aniyahe with some sparkler fun. Their mother said the Lyndonville fireworks are worth the drive from Lockport.
The fireworks show is one of the largest in Western New York. Last it was only topped by the fireworks displays in the cities of Rochester and Tonawanda.
Skylyn Johnson, 7, of Lockport also had fun with sparklers before the big fireworks display.
The Who Dats once again played before the fireworks. They normally perform in the school parking, but with a school construction project, they moved their performance site next to the softball field. The band includes Aaron Robinson on drums, lead singer Lonnie Froman, John Borello on guitar, Ed Hilfiker on guitar, and Marty Hobbs on guitar.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2019 at 4:34 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Today is Lyndonville’s day to shine as the community welcomes an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people for the 45thannual Fourth of July celebration sponsored by the Lyndonville Lions Club.
It was about 90 degrees during the parade, which prompted this group from the Middleport Fire Department to spray water on people along the parade route.
A group waves from a fire truck for the Hartland Fire Department. The parade at noon lasted more than an hour.
This kid tries to get close to some of the parade participants, which were generously tossing candy and treats.
James Wolfe helps serve potatoes as part of the chicken barbecue dinners prepared by the Lyndonville Lions Club. James, a Lyndonville native, came home to help with the meals. His father Roger is the Yates highway superintendent. James’ sister, Melissa Stinolis, also helped with the meals.
Bruce Schmidt, the Lions Club president, helps serve the chicken dinners. Lions Club members from other clubs helped the Lyndonville Lions with the big meal today.
Two people on bicycles pedal hard on Platten Road when the rain came at about 2 p.m. It was just a passing storm.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2019 at 5:43 pm
Provided photos
LYNDOVILLE – Natalie Ostrowski, valedictorian of the Class of 2019 in Lyndonville, accepts her diploma from Jason Smith, the district superintendent, during last Friday’s commencement ceremony at the school’s Stroyan Auditorium. (Courtesy of Lyndonville Central School)
The class included 48 graduates. They are pictured during the commencement program. (Courtesy of Aimee Chaffee)
These five students were all in the AVID program, which helps prepare students for college and a career. They include from left: Natalie Ostrowski, Carlie Russo, Jonathon Scroth, Hannah Despard and Joyce Stamp. (Courtesy of Aimee Chaffee, the AVID coordinator)
Noah Heinsler accepts a Frank B. Housel Jr. Scholarship from Darren Wilson, president of Lyndonville Area Foundation, which manages the scholarship. (Courtesy of school district)
These three are all smiles after graduation. They include Emalee Houseman, Carlie Russo and Grace Hayes. (Courtesy of school district)
Tamara Huzair, the class salutatorian, accepts one of the Frank B. Housel Jr. Scholarships from Darren Wilson, president of Lyndonville Area Foundation. (Courtesy of Daniel Hochstine and Leylah Hochstine)
These five graduates are pictured before the commencement program. (Courtesy of school district)
Photo by Tom Rivers: A big crowd of people watched the fireworks on July 4, 2018 on the athletic fields at Lyndonville Central School. The fireworks will go off at 10 p.m. on Thursday in one of Western New York’s biggest fireworks shows.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2019 at 12:04 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The Village of Lyndonville, population of about 800 people, will welcome an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people on Thursday for the annual Fourth of July celebration.
This will be the 45thannual celebration that is organized by the Lyndonville Lions Club.
There are events throughout the day, including a big parade that begins at noon, with the festivities capped by fireworks at 10 p.m.
The Lyndonville fireworks will be at least a half hour. Last year’s show in Lyndonville was the third biggest put on by Young Explosives in a territory stretching from WNY to Vermont and to Pennsylvania, said Wes Bradley, the fireworks chairman.
Only the cities of Rochester and Tonawanda topped Lyndonville. However, those cities tend to send their fireworks straight up. Young Explosives likes the Lyndonville site, where the fireworks can be sent in multiple directions.
The fireworks display costs about $20,000 and Bradley said many businesses, organizations and individuals donate for the fireworks.
“This is easily one of the largest shows in Western New York,” Bradley said today.
The show draws a crowd to the school campus, on Main Street and the near the Yates Community Library. People also park along Mill Road, Marshall Road, Millers Road, Alps Road, and North and South Lyndonville roads to watch the fireworks.
The club’s 35 members organize and run the festival, with help from their families, and some of the Lyndonville sports teams.
Club members have been raising money for the big bash, and have been busy ordering food, setting up tents and parking barriers.
Some highlights in the schedule include:
• Arts & Crafts Show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school front lawn with more than 50 vendors.
• Parade at noon with a theme this year of “A Salute to Our Hometown Heroes.”
• Chicken barbecues with baked beans & salt potatoes from 1 to 5 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
• Concert by Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums, 1:30 p.m.
• WNY Garden Tractor Pull from 1 to 4 p.m. on Housel Avenue
• Parade Awards Presentation at 3 p.m. at information booth
• Concert by the Byrne Brothers at 3 p.m. at Yates Community Library
• The Who Dats in concert at High School parking lot from 7 p.m. until the fireworks.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Shane Price, a Lyndonville teacher and baseball, speaks to the Lyndonville Board of Education on Monday during a 2 ½ hour organizational meeting. Price, president of the Teachers’ Association, said Lee Dillenbeck deserves to be reappointed as athletic director. Price presented letters from about 10 other local athletic directors who all commended Dillenbeck for his work in the position.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 July 2019 at 8:34 am
Shane Price said Dillenbeck has helped transform Lyndonville’s athletic program, pushing for excellence. Price asked for the board members opposing Dillenbeck to resign.
LYNDONVILLE – Many Lyndonville community members on Monday expressed outrage that Lee Dillenbeck, a popular school athletic director, hasn’t been reappointed to the position.
The Board of Education didn’t reappoint Dillenbeck during a June 10 meeting. More than 100 people attended Monday’s organizational meeting, where the athletic director appointment was again on the agenda. The big crowd forced the district to move the meeting from its usual location in the library to the auditorium. There were 17 speakers – teachers, coaches, former students and parents – who spoke in favor of Dillenbeck.
“It was a travesty he was let go, an absolute travesty,” said Mark Hughes, a retired teacher who continues as a volunteer baseball coach with Lyndonville.
When he heard Dillenbeck wasn’t reappointed last month, “I was the most disappointed man I’ve been in 47 years.”
Shane Price, the varsity baseball coach and president of the Lyndonville Teachers’ Association, said the baseball team wouldn’t have won three Sectional titles and seven Genesee Region championships without Dillenbeck.
Price presented letters from about 10 other nearby athletic directors, praising Dillenbeck for his work in the position.
After the comments from the public, board went into an executive session for more than an hour. When the board returned to public session, the members voted 4-1 to not reappoint Dillenbeck.
Ted Lewis, the BOE president, said the board can’t discuss personnel matters publicly. “We are hamstrung by some of these rules,” he said. “We can’t respond to false information.”
Harold Suhr, Ted Lewis, Sue Hrovat and Kelley Cousins voted against Dillenbeck while Vern Fonda backed him. New board member Kristin Nicholson abstained and board member Steven Vann was unable to attend the meeting.
Jason Smith, the district superintendent, reaffirmed his recommendation that Dillenbeck, a physical education teacher, stay on as athletic director. Smith said his recommendations are thoroughly vetted and made with consultation of the principal and other staff. He said Dillenbeck exceeds expectations.
Ted Lewis, the board president, said the board can’t speak about personnel matters publicly. He thanked the community for their comments and concern.
“We are hamstrung by some of these rules,” he said. “We can’t respond to false information.”
Lewis said “miscommunication runs rampant” with the issue.
He said the board members are focused on doing what’s best for the district.
“This is a small community,” he said. “We all care about our school district. That’s why we are here.”
Some of the speakers didn’t think the board was being fair to Dillenbeck, not only for not reappointing him as athletic director but for not giving a reason for his ouster. People will think Dillenbeck did something wrong and will assume things, said Gary Kent of Albion. He attended the meeting on behalf of family in the district.
Jason Smith, the district superintendent, reaffirmed his support for Dillenbeck and recommended he be reappointed as athletic director. Smith also thanked the BOE members for their volunteer service and asked the community to continue to support students and the district. Lori Lamay, the district clerk, is at left, and Ted Lewis, the BOE president, is at right.
“It is an outrage to me that Lee would be ousted without a stated cause,” Kent said.
Dillenbeck was a great athlete at Holley, and has been exceptional as a coach and AD for Lyndonville, Kent said.
Dillenbeck was praised by parents for his dedication, for pushing for excellence and for his caring ways with students and the coaches.
Kate Draper, the girls varsity basketball coach, is Dillenbeck’s sister-in-law. She said he is a man of high personal character who has proven his dedication to the district. He and his wife Michelle have five children in the district.
“Lee has been an incredible influence to me and I am so proud I get to know you,” she told Dillenbeck, who attended the meeting and wore a Lyndonville Tigers shirt.
Eric Neace graduated two years ago and is now studying education to Cortland State College. He said Dillenbeck inspired him to want to be a teacher.
Neace said Dillenbeck turned around the Lyndonville basketball program, turning a team with few wins each season into a powerhouse that draws big crowds to the games.
“He has given his absolute best effort to athletic director,” Neace said. “He knows exactly what it takes to build a successful sports program.”
Dillenbeck volunteered to run a youth basketball program that has been the key in developing players in high school.
“He is in a position to inspire kids and he excelled,” Neace said.
Jeff Gress, a Lyndonville teacher and former wrestling coach, said he would resign as modified track and field coach after 27 years if Dillenbeck isn’t reinstated. “He has always been steadfast in doing what’s best for the school district,” Gress said.
Tara Neace, Eric’s mother and a former Board of Education member, said the board shouldn’t “micromanage” personnel decisions, especially when the superintendent recommends a reappointment.
Neace was on the board in 2012 when the district and Jason Smith, the superintendent, gave Dillenbeck goals for improving the athletic program. Dillenbeck, the coaches and athletes have exceeded those expectations, she said.
“The proof is all the banners on the walls,” she said. “You can’t find a seat now at the basketball games.”
The Rev. Dan Thurber is Lee Dillenbeck’s father-in-law. Thurber said the community doesn’t understand the board’s decision given the positive recommendation by the superintendent for Dillenbeck and the success of the athletic program. Thurber asked the board to reconsider its decision.
Ed Urbanik, another former board member, said the board wasn’t following its policy by not acting on the recommendation of the superintendent.
“This is a friends and family employment agency,” Urbanik said.
Wes Bradley, a retired teacher, said he emailed the board members seeking explanation about Dillenbeck not being reappointed. Three responded and one said Dillenbeck “had done nothing to deserve losing his position.”
Bradley said there are 63 teachers at Lyndonville, and Dillenbeck is one of only nine who live in the district. Bradley also faulted the board for recent decisions to not reappoint Jim O’Connor as girls soccer coach and Jeff Gress as the wrestling coach. Those two also live in the district.
Bradley said “personal vendettas” from the board are hurting the district.
Gress addressed the board and read a letter from Eric Valley, Medina athletic director, in support of Dillenbeck.
Gress said he would resign as modified track and field coach after 27 years if Dillenbeck isn’t reappointed as AD.
Jim O’Connor, a math teacher and the former soccer coach, also spoke in favor of Dillenbeck.
“Lee is one of the finest young men I’ve had the pleasure of working with in my career,” O’Connor said. “He came in as a kid and I’ve watched him become a man.”
Gary Derwick said the many testimonials of Dillenbeck’s strengths should warrant a reconsideration from the board.
“Lee has been a great kid growing up,” Derwick said. “He has many attributes many schools would want. It seems it would be irresponsible to not look at all of these attributes.”
When the board voted not to reappoint Dillenbeck, many in the crowd yelled their outrage. Several people burst into tears.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2019 at 12:18 pm
LYNDONVILLE – Medina and Lyndonville school officials will discuss shared programs and take questions from students and community members about the programs this evening during an open house at Lyndonville Central School.
The event begins at 6 p.m. and provides an opportunity for students and parents to meet coaches, athletics directors and school leaders from both districts.
The two districts starting sharing some programs six years ago, first with boys varsity soccer.
That has expanded to eight shared programs. Lyndonville hosts the boys volleyball, girls varsity soccer and the musical program.
Medina hosts a merged boys varsity soccer, varsity football, cross country, the marching band and swimming.
Both school districts in February approved new four-year agreements for the shared programs.
Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Central School: Alviia Goigova portrayed Amelia Earhart, the first woman aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
Posted 13 June 2019 at 4:47 pm
Press Release, Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville fourth-grade roster had famous names such as Steve Irwin, Rosa Parks and Barack Obama for one afternoon. Students last week participated in a Biography Wax Museum as a culminating event to a research project.
Nicole Adamson’s students studied historical figures and popular names prior to the event. The students created poster displays about the individuals and had a start “button” on the poster. The fourth-graders stood still in front of their posters until a visitor pressed the button. The students then came to life as the characters and shared facts about themselves.
“My favorite part of the project was to dress up as Amelia Earhart,” said fourth-grader Alviia Goigova. “She was brave enough to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.”
Sarah Corser as Marie Curie, a physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
Each student ended their speech with an inspirational wish for their visitor.
“I hope I inspire you to keep trying and persevere,” said Sarah Corser as she portrayed Marie Curie.
“I hope to inspire you to help injured animals,” said Logan Gerling, who was Steve Irwin.
“I hope to teach you to do anything if you try hard enough,” said Grant Freeman as Jackie Robinson.
Nicole Adamson’s fourth-grade class portrayed many famous figures, including King Tut, Edgar Allen Poe, Harriet Tubman, John F. Kennedy, Charlie Chaplin, Steve Jobs and Helen Keller.
Grant Freeman as Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era. He played his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. He won the most valuable player award with the Dodgers.
Logan Gerling as Steve Irwin, “The Crocodile Hunter” who was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist and television personality.
Photos by Tom Rivers: David Bellavia of Waterport speaks during a news conference on Tuesday at the US Army Recruiting Station in Cheektowaga.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 June 2019 at 8:21 am
Bellavia wants to highlight service of Iraq War vets
CHEEKTOWAGA – When Bill Bellavia talked with his son, David, the father would praise him for his service in the Army and other accomplishments.
“Way to go, man,” Bellavia would tell his son.
Dr. Bellavia, a Medina dentist, was the only one who used that phrase with David, until October when the younger Bellavia was on the phone with President Donald Trump. The president told Bellavia he would be receiving the Medal of Honor.
“‘Good job, David. Way to go, man.’ That’s what the president said and I haven’t heard anyone say that to me but my father and it just brought me right back down to Earth,” Bellavia shared with reporters on Tuesday.
On Monday, the White House announced the medal would be awarded on June 25. Monday was the 75th birthday of Bill Bellavia, David’s father. Bill was a well-known dentist who wrote many op-eds for the local newspapers. He died on Dec. 6, 2017 after a long fight with cancer. David is the youngest of four sons.
David Bellavia said his service in the Army brought added purpose and direction to his life.
“It was pretty crazy that the White House announcement came on his birthday, but my dad was my hero. I loved him,” David Bellavia said.
His father was a big Buffalo Bills fan and would send his son long letters, detailing every play in a Bills game. It was as if the father and son were watching the game together, and brought some normalcy to the stress of being in a war zone.
Bellavia said he joined the Army after a home invasion at his parents’ home. Bellavia didn’t like feeling like a victim.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantryman in 1999 and worked about two years in recruiting for the Army while his infant son received medical care in Syracuse. Bellavia on Tuesday said he appreciated that compassion from the Army.
“I’m forever grateful to the United States Army,” Bellavia told reporters during a news conference at the Army Recruiting Station in Cheektowaga. “They gave my life purpose and direction. They gave my life meaning and value. I’m a better human being because of my service and I think most of the people I served with can tell you the same thing. I encourage any man or woman that wants to become an individual in their community to serve the United States military.”
In 2001, Bellavia had a decision to make. He could change his military occupational specialty, submit a hardship discharge, or remain as an infantryman. He chose to stay in the infantry after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Bellavia’s unit in 2003 deployed to Kosovo for nine months and then was sent directly to Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. From February 2004 to February 2005, Bellavia and the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, were stationed in the Diyala Province along the Iranian border. His task force took part in the battles for Najaf, Mosul, Baqubah, Muqdadiyah and Fallujah.
He is being honored for actions on his 29thbirthday, when he and his platoon were clearing buildings in Fallujah. The first nine buildings were unoccupied. The 10thhad insurgents inside and they were determined to kill the American soldiers.
Bellavia engaged the attackers, providing cover for his soldiers to get outside. He then re-entered the house and killed four insurgents and seriously wounded another.
His actions were described by Michael Ware, a Time correspondent. Bellavia said Ware is the “Ernie Pyle” of this generation of war correspondents. That reporting likely is a big factor Bellavia is getting the Medal of Honor.
Bellavia said many soldiers are deserving of the Medal of Honor. He listed five from his unit – commanding officer Ed Iwan, company commander Sean Sims, task force sergeant major Steven Faulkenburg, scout J.C. Matteson and staff sergeant Scott Lawson. All were heroic, saving men in the face of extreme danger. Iwan, Sims, Falkenburg and Matteson were killed in Iraq. Lawson died on March 13, 2019.
“I’m trying to bring those families to Washington so we can all share in this together,” Bellavia said about those men in his unit.
He recalled a team leader who saved a platoon from entering a building with an IED, which would have killed the platoon.
“I think of young men who pull their buddies out of doorways,” Bellavia said. “We literally live minute to minute in a firefight and anything can change. You don’t have time to immediately keep a scorecard on who’s doing what and who’s where in a firefight. It’s about survivability, it’s about coming home and achieving mission success.”
Photo courtesy of Army: David Bellaria, third from left in second row, is pictured with his unit in Iraq.
Ware, the journalist, was with Bellavia in the house on Nov. 10, 2004. Bellavia single-handedly saved an entire squad, risking his life while under heavy fire inside a house.
“His actions stand as a testament to those who put everything on the line as they do the grim work required to keep each other safe and alive on the battlefield,” the Department of Defense states in its summary of why Bellavia is being awarded the nation’s highest honor.
Bellavia was awarded the Silver Star in 2005 and was nominated for the Medal of Honor more than a decade ago. He didn’t get a phone call from Presidents George W. Bush or Barack Obama, the final approval for the honor.
In August he was told he would be getting an important phone call from a top leader in the Department of Defense. Bellavia didn’t know why or who the official was. Two months later, it was President Trump, the commander in chief, on the phone.
Bellavia said his life has changed and he will advocate for veterans and promote the military as a desired option for young men and women.
The news of the award was reported on Friday. It’s been a whirlwind since then for Bellavia, who works as a talk show host in Buffalo for WBEN.
“I never expected this much love and support and kindness,” Bellavia told reporters. “It really has meant a lot.”
He noted many veterans, especially those from the Vietnam War era, were treated poorly by the public and felt they needed to be quiet about their service. Bellavia said their valor is honorable, and all veterans should feel pride.
“It seems we have learned some of those lessons,” Bellavia said. “I just wish that more Vietnam veterans, Korean War, World War II, everyone, guys at VA hospitals could feel half of the love that Western New York has given to me.”
‘All I’ve ever wanted to do is serve my country. I happen to think veterans make the best neighbors you can have. I think we make great employees. I think we make great teachers. I think we make great friends.’
He wants to continue to highlight the service of all veterans, and the ultimate sacrifice of Gold Star families.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is serve my country,” he said. “I happen to think veterans make the best neighbors you can have. I think we make great employees. I think we make great teachers. I think we make great friends.”
Bellavia joined the Army when he was 23. He was older than most of the soldiers. He tried to be a big brother to many of them, to look out for the soldiers in his unit who were across the world from the families.
“If there’s anything that can come out of this hopefully young people in Western New York will see their country as more worthy than anything else in their life,” he said. “We are a very special institution, the United States Army. I encourage young people to look at that as an opportunity to better themselves but more importantly better their communities and their country.”
Bellavia said he was fortunate to grow up in Lyndonville. He played on the sports teams and performed in the school musicals. He was Jack in the show, Into the Woods.
“In Lyndonville I was blessed,” he told the reporters on Tuesday. “In a small high school you can be on a sports team, you can be in a play and you can play an instrument. In some big high schools you can’t do that. You have to choose. You’re either a sports guys, a music guy or you’re in the science club. In Lyndonville because we were so small we could all do the same thing. I just loved being on teams. I loved even losing. I loved being a part of a culture where we all shared something together. Win or lose we were part of something. I was really enamored by that whole thing. I found those guys in college. I found those guys in the Army. I’m really motivated by that dynamic in a group. We share things. We experience things. I love that camaraderie.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 June 2019 at 1:47 pm
David Bellavia, a Waterport resident and Lyndonville graduate, will receive the Medal of Honor on June 25 during a ceremony at the White House. He will be the first living veteran from the Iraq War to receive the nation’s highest honor.
Bellavia will receive the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 10, 2004, while serving as a squad leader in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq. Bellavia was then a staff sergeant in the Army. He describes that day in this video from the Army.
The Army provides this description of Bellavia’s heroic actions in Fallujah:
Staff Sgt. Bellavia was clearing a block of houses when his platoon became pinned down. He quickly exchanged an M16 rifle for an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, entered the house where his squad was trapped, and engaged insurgents, providing cover fire so that he and his fellow soldiers could exit safely, the Army said.
A Bradley Fighting Vehicle arrived to help suppress the enemy, but it could not fire directly into the house. Bellavia re-entered the house, armed with an M16, and assaulted insurgents who were firing rocket-propelled grenades. He proceeded to kill one insurgent and wound another, who then ran to another part of the house.
Bellavia was soon engaged by another insurgent rushing down the stairs when the previously wounded insurgent re-emerged to engage him as well. Bellavia returned fire, killing both attackers. He then took enemy fire from an insurgent who had appeared from a closet across the room. He pursued him up the stairs and killed him. Soon thereafter, he moved to the roof where he engaged and wounded a fifth insurgent, who fell from the roof of the building.
On that remarkable day, Bellavia rescued an entire squad, cleared an insurgent strongpoint, and saved many members of his platoon from imminent threat.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2019 at 10:14 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Lyndonville native David Bellavia, an Iraq War veteran with the U.S. Army, was keynote speaker during a July 24, 2016 banquet for the New York Warrior Alliance at the Hickory Ridge Country Club in Holley.
David Bellavia, a Lyndonville graduate who enlisted in the Army and fought in the second battle of Fallujah, will be the first living veteran of the Iraq War to receive the Medal of Honor.
Bellavia, 43, of Batavia previously was awarded the Silver Star. Army Times and other media outlets are reporting he will receive the nation’s highest honor.
Bellavia works as a radio talk show host for WBEN. He is being recognized for his actions in combat against insurgents. He was part of a campaign that took the heavily fortified city.
Bellavia wrote a book that detailed his experiences as a staff sergeant in Fallujah. He wrote House to House: An Epic Memoir of War with John R. Bruning, describing the efforts of front line forces in urban combat against insurgents.
In 2005, Bellavia was inducted into the New York Veterans’ Hall of Fame. He has been active in politics, twice running for Congress. He also has been an advocate for veterans in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
He is to receive the Medal of Honor on June 25 at the White House.
LYNDONVILLE – Seventh-graders of Lyndonville, in classes taught by Joe Suhr, were able to get a close look at the local justice system. After studying government and the constitution, the students witnessed a mock field sobriety test and arrest by Deputy Jason Barnum, who works as Lyndonville’s school resource officer.
After the arrest, the students followed the defendant into the Town of Yates Court and heard from Kathy Bogan, a Medina attorney, and Town Justice Don Grabowski.
Students learned about trial procedures and career paths to becoming a police officer, lawyer and judge.
