Danny Campbell, Ron Meiers reach 50 years of service

Photos by Tom Rivers: Danny Campbell was recognized for 50 years of service to the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company on Saturday. He speaks to about 225 people during a banquet at the Clarendon Rec Hall.

CLARENDON – The Murray Joint Fire District and Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company held a combined fire department banquet and awards celebration on Saturday night, with about 225 people attending the event at the Clarendon Rec Hall.

Both groups recognized members with milestone anniversaries and they also recognized top responders and others with significant contributions to the organizations.

Clarendon Fire Chief Bob Freida presents gifts to Danny Campbell on reaching the 50-year milestone with the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company.

There were two firefighters recognized for 50 years of service. Ron Meiers, a past Holley fire chief, remains very active with the department, which has been part of the Murray Joint Fire District since 2021. Meiers was unable to attend the banquet on Saturday. He will be recognized in an upcoming commissioners meeting, said Fire Chief Rick Cary.

Danny Campbell has been an active volunteer with the Clarendon Fire Company for 50 years. He followed the example of his late parents, Everett and Letha, by joining the fire company. Mrs. Campbell was especially dedicated to the Clarendon ambulance.

“My parents were so big into it that I just followed their footsteps,” Campbell said.

He twice served as fire chief, and has been president and held every office except treasurer and secretary. He still drives the fire trucks to many scenes.

Danny’s son, Matt, has 30 years in with the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company and Danny’s grandsons are eager to join.

Danny credited his wife Diana for her understanding when duty called him away so often.

“In my 50 years I’ve seen a lot but the number one person I have to thank is my wife,” he told the crowd.

Campbell, 68, said he intends to stay active as a firefighter for as long as he can.

“When the tones go off, I respond,” he said.

(Left) Bob Beisang accepts an award from Murray Joint Fire District leaders Pete Hendrickson, center, and Kevin Dann for all of Beisang’s efforts with writing grants, record keeping and solving issues with computers.

(Right) Dan Schiavone was named “Top responder” by Murray Fire Chief Rick Cary. Schiavone and his partner Jenna Amering are fast to respond to many calls during the night. They live about Schiavone’s dental office on the Public Square, not far from the fire station. Schiavone also is knowledgeable on using the fire trucks and trains many of the younger firefighters on how to use equipment.

Mark Porter received the President’s Award for his efforts to move projects forward for the Murray firefighters. Karl Biedlingmaler received the Clarendon President’s Award from Craig Hadden for the many ways Biedlingmaler assists the fire company.

John Morris received a “distinguished service” award from the Murray fire chief for Morriss’s work with the fire police and helping arrange volunteers from the fire district for many of the events in the community.

Jeff Elsenheimer received a “Chief’s Award” for his leadership at scenes when Murray chiefs aren’t there.

Chief Cary said 2024 was the busiest so far for the district with 788 calls. He praised the partnership between Murray and Clarendon, frequently providing mutual aid for each.

Clarendon Fire Chief Bob Freida, right, presents the “Chief’s Award of Excellence” to Rick Cary, the Murray fire chief, on behalf of the mutual aid from Murray for many calls in Clarendon.

Bob Freida received the Clarendon Board of Directors Award for his work getting the Clarendon Benevolent Association started.

Clarendon firefighters responded to 459 calls in 2024.

Freida said the department is looking to replace a chief’s truck and a brush truck this year, and also pave the parking lot by the fire hall/rec hall.

Robbie Weit, 8, was welcomed as a honorary member of the Clarendon Fire Company by Fire Chief Bob Freida and Deputy Chief Don Moiser. Robbie has made posters for both Clarendon and Murray fire halls about the Sept.11 attacks that killed 343 New York City firefighters. Robbie dresses as a firefighter at Halloween and looks forward to joining the department when he is older.

Frank Balys, chairman of the board of commissioners for the Murray Joint Fire District, said the district was awarded a $500,000 state grant last year that will replace turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus. Murray is putting its order in for the equipment on Monday.

Scott Elliott of Kendall also was recognized after retiring with 35 years at Monroe Ambulance, including 30 years as a paramedic serving the communities of eastern Orleans and western Monroe. Elliott attended the banquet and was pleased to see so many of the firefighters he has worked with over the years. “It was a chance to say good bye and thank them for working with everyone so long.”

The Clarendon Fire Company’s Board of Directors include: President – Craig Hadden; Vice President – Pat Cain; Directors – Robert Margis, Troy Kingdollar, Earl Jenks, James DeYoung and Dan Campbell.

The Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Company’s Board of Directors include: President – Adam Blosenhauer; Vice President – Joseph A. Morlino; Directors – D.J. Blosenhauer, Billy Bower, Jim Fox and Ed Morgan; Treasurer – Mary Blosenhauer.

The Holley Fire Company’s Board of Directors include: President – Fran Gaylord; Vice President – Raymond McMillion; Directors – Kevin Dann, Shannon McMillion and John Morris; Secretary – Courtney Strickland.

The Clarendon Fire Company’s Line Officers include: Chief – Robert Freida; Deputy Chief – Don Mosier; Assistant Chief – Karl Biedlingmaler; Captain – Troy Kingdollar; Lieutenant – James DeYoung, Bill Gergly and Earl Jenks; and Safety Officer – Dan Campbell and Bob Margis.

The Murray Joint Fire District Board of Commissioners include: Chairman –  Frank Balys; Co-Chairman – Scott Harrington; Commissioners – Chris Middleton, Dave Knapp, Robert Beisang, Jenna Amering and Mark Porter; and Secretary/Treasurer – Tiffany Jewell-Frew.

The Murray Line Officers include: Chief – Richard Cary; Deputy Chief – Peter Hendrickson Jr.; Assistant Chief – Kevin Dann; Captain – Jeff Elsenheimer and Chris Chilson; Lieutenant – Allan Smith and Chris Middleton; EMS Lieutenant – Mark Porter and Hunter Salamaca; Fire Police Captain – John Morriss; and Fire Police Lieutenant – Jerry Wagner.

Pete Hendrickson, left, and Don Mosier remember three local firefighters who passed away in 2024, including Don Blosenhauer, a 50-year member of Fancher-Hulberton-Murray; Kerry McCormack, 25-year member of Clarendon and also a long-time EMT with Monroe Ambulance; and Margaret Morse, a 17-year volunteer with the Clarendon fire police.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian 

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No. 12

ALBION – “Tucked among the keepsakes that reflect the earlier years of this unique county are the recipes found in this treasury. Some are copied, some created, some from yesteryear and some from today. All with a special touch from a special person – the one who so generously shared their favorite recipe.”

“Favorite Recipes of Orleans County” is a spiral bound community cookbook produced in 1979 by the Orleans County Historical Association. It was printed in Albion by the Eddy Printing Company. Mary Shuler and Millie Scofield were co-chairwomen.

A hefty tome, with over 300 pages, it is double the size of a regular community cookbook. It includes the staple community cookbook recipes one would expect but also includes heirloom recipes from grandmothers and great-grandmothers, thus linking back to the early years of the county.

Mrs. Charles Defendorf (Rose Hart) submitted a recipe for Salt Raising Bread which was passed down from her great grandmother, Matilda West, 1826-1899. It begins:

“Start bread at night. Scald 2tbsp. of cornmeal and ½ tsp each of salt, sugar, and soda in 1 cup sweet milk. Cover and set in warm place overnight…..”

A recipe for Gingerbread submitted by Doris Bannister is traced back to a descendant of John Proctor, “the Paul Revere of the Ridge” who, in 1813, alerted the residents along Ridge Rd. that “the British were coming.”

A recipe for Corn Bread which includes yeast, mashed potato and cornmeal is traced back to the Matthew Dunham family, the earliest settlers in the Lakeside area of the Town of Carlton.

A recipe for Homemade Ale copied from the Journals of Samuel Brent, Canterbury, England, dates to 1829. It was submitted by his great-granddaughter, Betty Hurd.

Not surprisingly, there are many variations of apple recipes: Apple Grunt, Apple John, Apple Roll, Elegant Apple Pie, French Apple Pie, Apple Cake, Apple Chip Cake, Applesauce Cake, Apple Pie Cake, Apple Pudding Cake, Glazed German Apple Bread, Apple Stuffed Pork Chops, and Squirrel in Apple Bake.

Several recipes reflect the strong English heritage of the county’s population: Grandma’s English Trifle, English mincemeat and 19th Century Whig Rolls.

So many recipes with intriguing names: Taylor Duff, Tell Your Neighbor Cake, Seafoam Salad, Pickled Seckel Pears and The Old Stand By, to mention but a few.

Interspersed with the recipes are nuggets of local history such as: how Troutburg got its name, the Orleans Meat Processing Company in Albion, canning in Holley, the cheese factories. A section on Remedies includes instructions on how to make soap using potash, lard, and rosin, how to remove wrinkles, make a liniment or a mustard plaster.

“Favorite Recipes of Orleans County” is a heartfelt homage to the families who have lived in Orleans County and to the cooks who sustained them. If you don’t own a copy, keep an eye out at yard sales and book sales. If you are lucky, you may even find an edited version, with the former owner’s comments critiquing the recipes!

The National Weather Service in Buffalo issued a wind advisory for Orleans County on Monday from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.

The advisory also includes Niagara, Genesee and northern Erie counties.

There will be southwest winds from 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 mph.

The highs for the next few days include 39 today, followed by 47 on Monday, 40 on Tuesday, 39 on Wednesday and 47 on Thursday.

MEDINA – Medina’s JV and Varsity Winterguards competed on Saturday at Greece Central School for the sixth competition of this season.

Eleven guard units in different classifications competed. Medina’s JV guard competed in the Cadet class and earned 1st place over Batavia with a score of 63.08.

Medina’s varsity guard was unopposed in the A1 class and earned a score of 70.58.  There were substantial changes to each show to enhance the portrayal of their theme.  The skills and stamina that these students exhibit every time they perform is amazing and indicative of their commitment  to this artform.

The Winterguard championships are scheduled for Saturday, March 29th at the Gates-Chili High School and every guard registered in the North East Color Guard Circuit will perform.

Medina’s JV winterguard won first place in the Cadet class.

Eddie Hilfiker of Who Dats thankful for life-saving actions

Photos by Tom Rivers: Eddie Hilfiker, guitarist for the Who Dats, attended Saturday’s awards banquet for the Clarendon and Murray fire companies and districts to thank the responders who saved his life on Feb. 8 after he had a heart attack.

CLARENDON – Eddie Hilfiker was packing up his guitars on Feb. 8, 2025 after a three-hour concert at the Clarendon Rec Hall with the Who Dats.

Hulfiker, 74, has played with the popular local band for the past 20 years. The Holley resident has been playing music since he was 13.

John Borello, left, and Ed Hilfiker, guitarists with The Who Dats, perform at the Orleans County 4-H Fair in this photo from July 2015. Hilfiker is an iconic figure locally with the band and is known for his hats while playing with the band.

A cold wintry night made for a smaller-than-expected crowd at the rec hall for a steak dinner and concert. The Who Dats usually bring in lots of people for their concerts.

Hilfiker was the last one in the rec hall’s main room. Everyone else was gone.

There were six people back in the bar, cleaning up.

One of them walked down the hallway to the main room and saw Hilfiker on the floor and unresponsive. The entire group was called and they performed CPR and shocked Hilfiker’s heart with an AED. They called for more help from Mercy Ambulance and other firefighters.

Hilfiker’s heart started beating and he would survive. He was talking with medics as they took him out of the rec hall and to Strong Memorial Hospital.

He would have quadruple bypass surgery and is taking medication for his heart. Hilfiker said he expects to be back performing with the Who Dats soon. He may use a stool while he plays the guitar instead of standing for the entire three to four hours like most of their concerts.

Hilfiker on Saturday attended the annual banquet for the Murray and Clarendon fire companies and districts. Clarendon Fire Chief Bob Freida and Murray Fire Chief Rick Cary presented “Lifesaving” awards to 12 people for their quick response that night. The awards credit the responders for their “fast thinking and swift, professional action on Feb. 8, 2025 leading to the saving another human life.”

The responders hadn’t trained together before as a unit, yet they did everything with precision to save Hilfiker, Freida said.

“The teamwork was amazing,” he said.

The following were recognized on Saturday during a banquet at the Clarendon rec hall for life-saving actions on Feb. 8. pictured from left, in front, include Mercy medic Mike Senebeck, Mercy paramedic Brittani Mack, Murray firefighter Jenna Amering, Murray firefighter Dan Schiavone, Clarendon past chief Jim DeYoung, Murray firefighter Colton Tuttle, East Pembroke firefighter Joey Gibson (grandson of DeYoung), Clarendon Fire Chief Robert Freida, and Murray Deputy Chief Peter Hendrickson. In back include: Mercy medic James Fisher, Murray Assistant Chief Kevin Dann, Murray Town Supervisor Gerald Rightmyer, Rochester police officer Liza Dann, Clarendon Town Councilman Chris Caulfield and Fran Gaylord, past chief for Murray.

Hilfiker attended the banquet on Saturday and thanked the responders for being there for him.

“Without them I’d be dead,” Hilfiker said at the Clarendon Rec Hall, where about 225 people attended the annual banquet. “I’m not ready to leave the grandchildren.”

Six people were honored with a “Lifesaving Award” for providing the initial response for Hilfiker. That included 13 minutes of CPR and shocks from an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). That device delivers an electric shock to help restore a normal heartbeat in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.

The six on scene who initially assisted Hilfiker include Murray Deputy Chief Peter Hendrickson, Murray Assistant Chief Kevin Dann, Clarendon Chief Robert Freida, Clarendon Town Councilman Chris Caulfield, Murray Town Supervisor Gerald Rightmyer, and Rochester police officer Liza Dann.

These nine people jumped into action when they arrived on scene to help: Jim DeYoung, past chief from Clarendon; East Pembroke firefighter Joey Gibson, a grandson of DeYoung; from the Murray joint fire district – past chief Fran Gaylord, firefighter Dan Schiavone, firefighter Jenna Amering, and firefighter Colton Tuttle; Mercy paramedic Brittani Mack, Mercy medic James Fisher and Mercy medic Mike Senebeck.

This group is recognized with a “Lifesaving Award” on Saturday. From left include Joey Gibson, Jim DeYoung, Eddie Hilfiker, Bob Freida, Gerry Rightmyer, Chris Caulfield, James Fisher and Mike Senebeck.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Teanna Church of Holley heads to the finish line ahead of Barbara Sauer of Buffalo in today’s Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K.

They were among 75 finishers in a race that is in memory of an Albion elementary music teacher who passed away at age 36 from colon cancer on March 26, 2014.

Laura Strutz served as the announcer after the race when the awards were handed out for the top three overall in male and female, and the top three in each age group. The cafeteria in the elementary school hosted the awarded event, which included refreshments.

Strutz urged men to get checked for colon cancer if they are 45 or older, or 40 or older if they have a family history with colon cancer.

Wolfpack Multisport organizes the race in Albion and also will be doing the Strawberry Festival 5K and 8K on June 14. Wolfpack organizes about 20 events in the Rochester and Syracuse areas.

Lindon Morici won the award for fastest female int he 5K and her two daughters were the top two finishers in the fun run. Morici is shown with daughters Winter, 6, at left, and Summer, age 9.

Screenshot

Medina firefighter Adam Fisher, left, heads towards the finish. Medina Fire Chief Matt Jackson, right in a photo looking through a tree, also completed the course that is slightly longer than a 5K at 3.17 miles.

The distance symbolizes the 3 months and 17 days Burlison lived from when he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer until his death on March 26, 2014.

The top three male finishers include, from left: Jose Miguel Silva, winner in 18:19; Brad Kingdollar of Clarendon, third in 20:39; and Joe Silliman of West Seneca, second in 20:06.

Wayne Burlison’s wife Lisa addresses the runners at the start of the race. “He was an incredible man of integrity, faith and perseverance who loved Jesus, family, music and running,” she said about Wayne. Burlison’s son Adam completed the course today.

She is recently remarried to Tom Wink, left. Bert Gallmon, Wolfpack Mulitsports owner, is at right. Mrs. Wink and Gallmon both urged people to get checked for colon cancer.

Proceeds from the race help continue a scholarship in Burlison’s name that goes to a graduating senior with a passion for the arts, who demonstrates perseverance and overcame challenges.

Sponsors for today’s race included Silsby Family Dental, Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals, Albion Agencies Insurance, and Dubby’s Tailgate.

SHELBY/YATES – The following candidates have been interviewed and endorsed by the Orleans County Conservative Party:

• Town Supervisor Shelby: James F. Heminway
• Town Councilman Shelby: Lawrence M. Waters Sr.
• Town Councilman Shelby: Edward M. Zelazny
• Town Councilman Yates: William C. Jurinich for 4-year term
• Town Councilman Yates: Steven Vann for 2-year term
• Town Justice Yates: Donald F. Grabowski

Orleans County Conservative Party Chairman Paul Lauricella Jr. said the candidates interviewed with the committee, and have shown they are “engaged citizens” who attend their town board workshops and meetings, “and ask questions and hold their government accountable.”

The Conservative Party Committee is backing social conservatives and “true fiscal common-sense conservatives.”

 “These are not just fly-by-nights who have never shown their face to a Town Board meeting or workshop,” Lauricella said. “These are the real deal, my friends.”

Lauricella urges Republicans in the June 24 primaries to back the Conservative Party candidates.

Newsboys form union, seek fair pay in taking on wealthy publishers

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Newsboys join together in a strike in 1899. Lyndonville shares the story of the ragtag team of paperboys making a living selling newspapers on the street of New York City.

Lyndonville performed the first show on Friday evening and has performances at 7 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Stroyan Auditorium, 25 Housel Ave.

Amir Huzair, in back, plays the lead role of Jack Kelly, who leads the youngsters in their fight to make a decent wage.

Jennifer Neroni-Trupo, the show’s director, said the musical brings a message for equality and fair pay, child rights and activism.

“Treat people with dignity and kindness all the time,” Neroni-Trupo states in the program for the musical. “We have been working very hard during this production to make sure that every person is welcome in our theater family and that this is a place they can safely be themselves.”

The newsboys go on strike after the newspaper owners increase the costs of the “papes” or the newspapers on the newsboys, cutting into their already slim profits. The newsboys form a union and go on strike against wealthy publishers, including Joseph Pulitzer.

James Giarla plays newspaper titan Joseph Pulitzer. When circulation starts to decline, resulting in lesser profits, Pulitzer decides to charge the newsboys more to sell the newspapers.

Jack and Crutchie (Auston Bentley), right, are excited to meet two new paperboys, Davey (Noah Fox), left, and his little brother Les (Gavyn Draper). Les gives a sad face to get sympathy from customers to buy his newspapers.

The Bowery Beauties join Medda Larkin (Hannah Marker) in performing at a theater. The Beauties include Robin Botsford, Sierra Frasier, Thalia Heinsler, Karalyn Klotzbach, Dixie Nowicki and Adrianna Vanderbrook. The newsboys take cover in the theater while being chased from the warden of a juvenile detention center.

Sarah Corser plays Katherine Plumber, a young reporter who covers the newsboys’ strike. She sees it as a chance to be taken more seriously as a reporter. She and Jack also have a romantic connection.

Aurora Avery plays the role of Finch and is fired up in seeking better wages and treatment.

Jack (Amir Huzair) is discouraged when the strike gets off to a rough start, with some of the newsboys, including his close friend Crutchie, apprehended and taken to the juvenile detention center. Huzair, blaming himself for the failure, sings “Santa Fe,” wanting to runaway forever.

Katherine and Jack later team to create their own paper, the Newsies Banner. Katherine, who is Pulitzer’s daughter, writes a story about the inhumane conditions in the juvenile detention facility, using many of Jack’s drawings of the abuse. That prompts the closing of the detention center.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

OSWEGO – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) reintroduced the People and Animals Well-being (PAW) Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code Section 213(d) to include veterinary care expenses under tax-advantaged health care spending accounts, specifically Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

The PAW Act would allow pet owners to use their HSA or FSA accounts to pay for up to $1,000 for veterinary care or a pet health insurance plan while enabling an unlimited amount of these funds for service animals.

In addition, this legislation will support individuals, including veterans, with disabilities by ensuring the IRS relies on an up-to-date definition of “service animal,” which includes animals trained to assist with both physical and mental disabilities. This bill maintains current HSA and FSA contribution limits, ensuring that there will be little to no impact on federal expenditures.

“Pets and service animals are valued members of our families and lives, with many benefits, including increasing our lifespan, reducing stress, and promoting physical activity. It is important we ensure pet owners can afford quality care,” Tenney said. “The PAWS Act allows pet owners to use HSAs and FSAs for veterinary care, ensuring all pet owners can keep their beloved pets and service animals healthy.”

“The AVMA-endorsed People and Animals Well-being (PAW) Act supports both animal and human health by highlighting the benefits of pet ownership and expanding access to pet care,” said Dr. Sandra Faeh, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “By making veterinary care and pet health insurance eligible expenses under Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, this legislation helps make pet care more affordable, improves access for service animals, and strengthens efforts to detect and prevent zoonotic diseases. We appreciate the leadership of Reps. Tenney and Ross on this important issue and urge Congress to pass the PAW Act without delay.”

Press Release, Apex Clean Energy

ALBION – Apex Clean Energy is pleased to announce the latest awards from the Heritage Wind, Community Grant Program. Three organizations will each receive $4,000 to continue their outstanding work throughout Orleans County.

• Village of Albion Recreation Program
• United Way of Orleans County
• Barre Volunteer Fire Department

The Village of Albion Recreation Program offers a variety of programs and community events at the village’s Bullard Park throughout the year. The grant funds will support current programs, such as the summer children’s recreation program, along with future expansions.

 “On behalf of the Village of Albion and the Recreation Department, we are very pleased and excited to be awarded grant money to assist in the growth and development of the Village of Albion Recreation Program,” said recreation director John Grillo. “We have many plans and goals moving forward and the grant money will assist in achieving those goals. We thank Apex Clean Energy and Heritage Wind for this great gesture and opportunity to help make our community a better place to live.”

The United Way of Orleans County is a connector of people, resources, ideas, and funding to make our community stronger. The organization embraces the values of collaboration, responsiveness, inclusivity, service, and accountability. The grant will be used to provide 40 families in need with a home fire safety kit which includes carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, and a home fire extinguisher.

Nyla Gaylord, Executive Director of the United Way of Orleans County, described the project, adding “The United Way of Orleans County is pleased to receive funding from Heritage Wind/Apex Clean Energy to purchase and distribute smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers to 40 vulnerable families and individuals.   We are very concerned with the increased number of mobile home and house fires over the past four years and the fact that many low-income households cannot afford these fire prevention resources. We will be distributing these home safety kits through our partner agencies and the Orleans County Office for the Aging and Adult Protective Services.”

Contributions to increase the number of households served by the program are greatly appreciated. Those interested in supporting the effort can do so by vising www.orleansunitedway.org/donate.

The Barre Volunteer Fire Department plans to use the grant award to support reconstruction and upgrades to the department’s communication room at the firehall. This room serves as the department’s control station when first responders are actively out on calls throughout the community.

With these latest awards, Heritage Wind has provided over $140,000 to support community causes, events, and non-profit organizations. These grants are part of a larger community grant program by Apex Clean Energy that has awarded over $6 million in funds to local communities nationwide since 2020.

Heritage Wind is committed to being a strong community partner for residents and local organizations. We are proud to support the continued commitment to making your community better in every way that it can. As the project approaches construction, Heritage Wind will continue its commitment to being a strong community partner to local governments, area businesses, and non-profits working to improve people’s lives across the region.

To learn more about the program, or apply for a future round of grant funding, visit www.heritagewindpower.com/grant.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A wall honoring the five Medal of Honor recipients from Orleans County is complete. The Orleans County Legislature expects to have a ceremony for the wall in May close to Memorial Day.

The wall was recently completed by Takeform in Medina and includes five plaques for the recipients and wallpaper of a bald eagle and an American flag.

The display is on the second from of the County Office Building. The Orleans County Veterans Service Agency and the legislative staff worked with Takeform on the project.

The county introduced the wall on March 23, 2022 when a portrait was unveiled of David Bellavia, a Lyndonville native, being presented the Medal of Honor from president Donald Trump on June 26, 2019 at the White House.

Bellavia is the first living veteran from the Iraq War to receive the nation’s highest military medal. He was honored for his acts of valor on Nov. 10, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. Bellavia led an infantry squad clearing houses of insurgents, saving the lives of the members of his unit.

Four others in the county also have received the prestigious medal. The display includes an updated headshot of Bellavia and portraits of Forrest Vosler of Lyndonville and John Butts of Medina.

Photos aren’t available of the other recipients Thomas Wilbur Kates and Charles D. Harris.

• Forrest Vosler of Lyndonville was assigned as a radio operator and aerial gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II with the 358th Bombardment Squadron, 303rd Bombardment Group stationed out of England. On Dec. 20, 1943, Vosler’s fourth combat mission. The plane was under fire and had two engines knocked out with the aircraft windmilling out of control.

When a fellow aviator was knocked unconscious, Vosler maneuvered himself into the tailgun. Another 20-mm shell hit the aircraft, sending shrapnel into Vosler’s chest, face, and eyes. He continued to deliver defensive fire upon German aircraft until the attacks subsided. Nearly out of fuel and losing altitude quickly, the crew jettisoned every piece of equipment to lighten the plane.

Vosler, severely wounded and floating in and out of consciousness, begged the crew to throw him out of the plane to reduce weight. As the aircraft plunged into the frigid waters of the North Sea, Vosler crawled out of the aircraft onto a wing. A passing Norwegian trawler quickly picked up the crew and transferred them to a British rescue vessel. One of Vosler’s eyes had one of his to be removed, and the other required extensive surgery.

• John E. Butts of Medina is the only one of the five Medal of Honor recipients from Orleans County who received the honor posthumously. He was recognized for his heroic actions near Cape La Hague, France in World War II.

John Butts was awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of valor in the Normandy invasion in June 1944.

Butts was in command of four squads in Easy Company of the 60th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division charged with driving towards St. Colombe, France. On June 12, 1944, 2nd Battalion progressed so quickly towards their objective that the remainder of 9th Division thought the 60th Infantry was lost. In fact, 2nd Battalion had pushed forward through heavy German resistance and established a bridgehead at the Douve River. Butts was wounded twice, first near Orglandes on June 14th and then at the Douve River just two days later; he refused medical treatment on both occasions in order to remain with his men.

On June 23, 1944, the 60th Infantry led the 9th Division’s advance from the Cotentin Peninsula as part of the breakout from St. Lo. While moving towards Flottemanville-Hague, Butts and his men encountered a German stronghold atop a hill, well defended with tanks, machine guns, and mortars. Butts was struck in the stomach by machine gun fire while progressing towards the objective. Pulling himself into the shelter of a nearby hedgerow, he planned a flanking maneuver with his Sergeants.

One squad was to progress up the left flank, another up the right flank, and the third was to remain in reserve. Holding one hand over his midsection and the other grasping his carbine, Butts charged the hill alone. The might of the entire German stronghold fell upon him directly, Butts falling approximately 10 yards from his objective. The distraction allowed the two flanking squads to outmaneuver the Germans while the third squad hit the hill head-on.

Awarded on July 19, 1945 by President Harry Truman, John Butts’ Medal of Honor citation references the two painful wounds he received in the days leading up to the deadly assault on June 23, 1944. His citation concluded by stating, “By his superb courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions, 2d Lt. Butts enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion’s mission,” President Harry Truman said in the citation for the medal, which was awarded on July 19, 1945.

• Thomas Wilbur Kates, born in Shelby on May 7, 1865, received the Medal of Honor for his actions in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion, a nearly two-year uprising led by the Yihetuan (or Boxers) against foreign imperialists in China.

Kates accepted enlistment with the U.S. Marine Corps at New York City on July 21, 1899. Pvt. Kates and other Marines were dispatched to China on June 18, 1900, where they remained through October 10, 1900. According to his citation, Kates was awarded the Medal of Honor “…for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 1st Regiment (Marines), in action in the presence of the enemy during the advance on Tientsin, China, 21 June 1900. Private Kates distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.”

Maj. Waller wrote in a letter dated July 6, 1900, that “…of the men I wish to say, while all in the engagements we participated in, behaved in such a manner as to bring forth the highest praise from the foreign officers…Cpl. Thomas W. Kates.”

He continued, “…the specifically distinguished of these being Corporal Kates and Privates Campbell and Francis, with the Colt gun.” According to the Report of the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps dated September 29, 1900, these three men remained with Lt. Powell, holding a position with an M1895 Colt-Browning Machine Gun until all but Campbell and Powell were gunned down. They destroyed the gun to prevent it from entering enemy hands before they commenced their retreat.

• Charles D. Harris, who fought in the Civil War, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the Apache Wars in 1869. The specifics of the engagement and the actions that warranted the awarding of the medal remain shrouded in mystery. After the war, Harris returned to Albion and lived a quiet life until his passing on September 6, 1895. He is buried at Mount Albion Cemetery.