Livsey, Pitt are among 2022 honorees
CHESTER — Assemblyman Colin Schmitt hosted his second Annual Veterans Hall of Fame Ceremony for the 99th Assembly District on Sunday evening at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, in front of a nearly full house. The ceremony honored local residents from towns and villages across the 99th Assembly District who “faithfully served our nation in the military and who are heroes in our communities”.
Plaques honoring each of the new inductees have been added to Schmitt’s Traveling Wall of Honor. The wall, constructed by Carpenters Local 279, travels across the 99th Assembly District year-round, reaching all corners of the district for community members to see.
Schmitt noted that it is “incredibly important to honor and recognize the military veteran heroes of our community that selflessly served our nation and have sacrificed so much for our freedoms.”
He said the purpose of the Wall of Honor is to let other Orange County residents “know who your neighbors are, and the extraordinary contributions they have made.”
Schmitt made a plea for any organization or government in the county to reach out to him if they have the space to host the wall, so that more people can see it.
The ceremony kicked off with an Orange County Sheriff’s Department color guard, and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Cornwall’s Girl Scout Troop 76. The National Anthem was sung by Emma Flynn, and Woodbury Councilmember Kate Luciani, from the Woodbury Town Council, gave the invocation. From Schmiit’s office, Schmitt’s Deputy District Director Nicole Curley acted as mistress of ceremony, welcoming those in attendance and reading biographies of all the honorees.
Curley said she knew that asking local leaders to submit nominees was a difficult task for them “because there are so many deserving men and women of all branches who need to be saluted and applauded”.
In all, there were 12 certificates — and 99th Assembly District challenge coins — presented. Those recognized had been nominated by Town and Village Boards and then vetted by Schmitt’s staff. The last honoree was the collective NAM Knights, a national charitable organization which has 42 local members. The group members spent their time supporting veteran and police organizations and individuals. Chapter President Robert Caridi accepted the honor on behalf of the group.
As the hour-long ceremony concluded, all of those in the building gave a standing ovation to the honorees.
Highland Falls – Thomas Pitt (U.S. Marine Corps)
Tom Pitt enlisted into the United States Marine Corps immediately after high school as he wanted to serve his country when someone he had known was killed in Vietnam. Tom served from 1977 to 1983. He was stationed in Rota, Spain from 1977 to 1979. Following this, he was stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA from January 1980 to 1983 before being deployed to Okinawa, Japan twice. Tom attained the rank of Corporal, earning the Navy Achievement Medal and Good Conduct Medals.
Upon returning home, Tom attended the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Police Academy. He continued his public service as a police officer for more than 23 years. He and his wife Mary Jane have three children; Courtney, Kaitlin and Hannah, and a grandson, Thomas.
Highlands – Bob Livsey (U.S. Army)
Bob Livsey graduated from high school at the age of 17, then enlisted in the United States Army. At the age of 18, Bob was sent to Germany from 1957 to 1961, Texas to Florida during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Germany from 1963 to 1965, and Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 during the Tet Offensive. Bob obtained the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7). He’s decorated with the Sharpshooter Badge Rifle, Army Commendation Medal from West Point, Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals.
Bob is married to his wife Mary and together they had 2 children, Mervin and Roswitha. He is pre-deceased by his daughter, and his brother Richard, a Marine Corps recruiter, and he is a happy grandfather to Shannon.
For 52 years, Bob has owned and operated “Richie’s Little Place” and has served as the Town Supervisor for the Town of Highlands for the last 18 years.
The other honorees were: George Bates (Blooming Grove), Ed Johnson and Antonio Ardisana (Chester), Christopher Paul Meyer (Cornwall) Michael Donovan (Goshen), Jack Powell (New Windsor), Brad Conklin (Stony Point), Harry Steinberger (Washingtonville), Michael Orlowski (Wawayanda) and Phillip Morello Sr. (Woodbury).
