Embedded Files
MILITARY SERVICE
Conflict, Service and Webster Veterans
Conflicts
Since its inception, the United States has been involved in over 100 conflicts at home and abroad. Over one-third of these were conflicts with our own indigenous people, mostly during the 19th century. Conflicts prior to 1970 are described by historian Esther Dunn in WEBSTER… Through the Years. Since that time the US military has been free from conflict involvement only four years: 1976-8, 1993 and 2000.
Veterans’ Honor Roll
Webster citizens have responded in many ways to the calls to serve their country during these conflicts. Their names can be found in Webster’s local cemeteries, in the Webster Herald archives, in the Webster Historian’s office and resource library of the Webster Museum, in the Webster Public Library, in Veteran’s Memorials at the Town Hall and the gazebo at Ridge and 250, in the memories of their family and friends, in the rosters of their military organizations and in the records of our local veterans service organizations described below and in the memories of their families, friends and neighbors.
New laws following the Vietnam conflict do not permit municipalities or other government agencies to release names or any other information regarding veterans.
Perhaps that is why Webster thanks its servicemen and servicewomen with such enthusiastic applause at Webster’s many parades where our military personnel proudly march. We respect their privacy and leave it to individuals or veterans’ organizations to add their names to this history as they wish.
The Conflicts and Webster Stories
Below is a brief description of the conflicts since 1970 in which Webster citizens have served, along with a few stories from these conflicts featuring Webster service men and women. While we do not know all their names or very many of their stories, we are fortunate to have a local newspaper that reported many of them. Most of the stories below were taken from our own Webster Herald and are thereby already public information. Other stories came from published interviews.
Vietnam, 1961-1973:
U.S. military supported South Vietnam’s struggle against the invasion of North Vietnam and the rise of communism there
In the Ridge Road entrance to the Town Hall, there are two plaques honoring Webster soldiers killed in action. Both plaques read “In eternal honor and memory of the men of the area of Webster who gave their lives while serving their country”. On the first plaque appear five names from World War I, twenty-five from World War II and two from the Korean conflict. On the second are fourteen names from the Vietnam conflict: Patrick Bierlein, Michael Brady, John Brusso, Leonard Coles, Rex Daniels, David W. Harrison, Donald Holleder, Peter J. Kaulback, Jay Reisinger, David A. Semmler, Stephen A. Shortall, Russell H. VanIngen, Laird Scott Walker, Thomas D. Welsher.
The November 2017 issue of Rochester’s Catholic Courier featured Vietnam veterans’ stories of their sad return to the US from Vietnam after years of horrific experiences serving there. Often, their homecoming was met with disrespect and disdain for their service. None of those interviewed was from Webster thankfully, and we can only hope that our own Vietnam veterans came home to open and grateful arms.
As early as April 14, 1965, the Herald reported that Sgt. Joseph Mintz of Webster was serving with the SAC to keep jet bombers on constant alert and combat readiness. By May 19 that same year, the US was evacuating all US citizens because of the breakdown in law and order in Vietnam. On September 18, 1965 Army Pfc Andrew Wright with the 101st Airborne was the first Webster soldier wounded in action in Vietnam. He would not be the last.
Some stories from the Herald had happy endings… such as local radarman Michael Searchfield’s survival of the USS St. Paul’s ship-to-shore gun battle with the Viet Cong in July of 1967 and the celebration of the return of 21-year-old Sgt. Arnold Anderson from his tour of duty in Vietnam in August of 1968.
Many of those happy endings were due to the support personnel who may not have participated in the physical battles, but provided supplies, medical attention and tactical support to those who did. In April 1965, medical corpsman Spec/5 Kenneth Scharett was with a unit ambushed by Viet Cuong and sustained multiple injuries and nerve damage. left arm and both feet. Eagle Scout Tim Oliver interviewed Air Force Colonel Dennis M. Rodgers who served in both Korea and Vietnam from 1953-1981. Col. Rodgers non-combat role in the 9th AF, Tactical Air Command served and protected those battling on the ground and in the sea and in the air.
The military was changing, with women taking a more active part in fighting and support services. Airman Cynthia Gerberfaux of Webster took her basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas in November of 1965. And in March of 1966, the Herald highlighted the service of Mary Klem (Air Force), Gail Nickel (WAC) and Doris Wagenhals (USAF nurse).
The Herald runs stories retrospectively as well. The October 25, 2017 issue of The Herald recognized the 50th anniversary of Major Donald Holleder’s death in Vietnam while rushing toward his ambushed battalion to help the wounded. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously.
Lebanon/Grenada, 1982-1983:
U.S. military provided support for fragile governments to maintain/acquire power in these countries.
Panama, 1989:
U.S. assisted efforts to overthrow dictator Noriega, accomplished in a month.
During these conflicts, the Webster Herald carried many notices of Webster citizens’ recruitment, basic and officer training and an increase in the study of avionics, as well as frequent mention of servicemen and women stationed in Germany. Featured was Patrol Boat Captain Peter L. Thompson who served in Vietnam and was serving again in October 1983. Happy news was the return of Marine Lance Cpl. Rodney J. Smith returning from a seven-month deployment in the western Pacific (Grenada).
Gulf War, 1991: Following the Iraq invasion of Kuwait, the US expelled dictator Saddam Hussein from Kuwait. From August, 1990 to February 1991, this military preparation was known as Desert Shield. The short but heavy conflict from January through February 1991 was known as Desert Storm.
Given the increasing need for security during these conflicts, stories at home focused on ways the community could and did support the military in the Gulf. In January, 1991 the Cottreal-Warner American Legion Post, the Webster Women’s Club and Eastman Kodak sponsored “Faces from Home” where loved ones could have photos taken and sent to those serving overseas.
In January 1991, the Webster Herald was sending the newspaper to some 28 Webster service men and women serving in the Gulf. Their names and stateside addresses appeared in the January 8 issue. In that same issue, Navy Lt. Scott Zimmerman explained his current assignment as an anti-submarine warfare officer. His job was to lead the protection of shipping for amphibious task forces. Later that month, Webster historian Dick Batzing covered the “Webster Prays for Peace” service offered by the cooperative efforts of all churches in Webster. The following issue featured interviews with local Webster local citizens expressing their reactions to the Gulf War, largely support for the troops serving there. Thankfully, in March, the Herald was able to announce the formation of a Gulf Support Group meeting for local troops returning home.
Widespread conflict in the 1990s
The remaining years of the 1990s found the United States military tasked with supporting fragile governments in Africa, the Caribbean and Southeastern Europe. In Somalia, 1992/3, the U.S. military helped restore order in this African nation so food could be delivered to relieve famine. In Haiti, 1994, U.S. military personnel assisted in the restoration to power of elected President Aristide. Airstrikes by the United States military in Bosnia (1994/5) and Kosovo (1999) were initiated to combat attempts at ethnic cleansing.
Though the “SERVICE” feature in the Herald continued to report Webster citizens serving in the military, it was not always wise or possible to discuss where they were serving. There were, after all, at least five active conflict locations during this decade. As William H. Roeger, a US Navy veteran, wrote in a guest editorial in November 1994: ”from…. Granada to Lebanon to Panama to the Arabian Desert and endlessly, we have taken up our quarrel with the foe, we have carried the torch on high, we have never broken faith with our fallen comrades.”
So we could know that in December, 1992, Navy Airman Recruit James R. Maloney had been recently deployed to the Western Pacific onboard the USS Kitty Hawk, concentrating on near-land warfare from the sea…. but not its exact destination. We could know that Navy Airman Vincent A. LaLoggia was in the Persian Gulf aboard aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower… but not the full meaning of its mission. In 1993, we were invited to celebrate the return of Navy Lt., j.g. Colin Lindahl on a guided-missile frigate from his two-month deployment to the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean… but not where he would be deployed next. Careful Herald readers would not miss the increasing numbers of young people from Webster completing basic training in one service or another and the increased sophistication of the vehicles, armament and training provided by those services. In 1994, a Herald article about Navy Seaman Paul Astifan would remark that “although the Navy is getting smaller, the state-of-the-art ships aircraft and high-tech systems in today’s fleet require bright, talented young men and women to operate them.” In October of 1994, Marine Lance Cpl. Stephen Partilla was part of a 12,000-member Marine and Navy contingent patrolling the waters of Haiti as part of the Uphold/Support Democracy effort there. He remarked that he had grown ten-fold since joining the Marines.
Though notices of Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day parades and commemorations continued to appear annually in the Herald, its “SERVICE” feature in the late nineties was very occasional and largely related to basic training graduations rather than deployments. However the Herald reported in January 1996 that Navy Fireman Shawn P. Wilder was serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS America in the Adriatic Sea near Bosnia, one of more than 5000 sailors and marines aboard. Their mission was to support the peace implementation operations in the former Yugoslavia. The USS America was the lead ship in the 11-ship battle group. Wilder had just returned from helping to reinforce the no-fly zone over southern Iraq. In April 1996, Marine Cpl. Jason T. Mulcahy was serving with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit on a similar mission aboard the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship. In September 1996, Navy Lt j.g. Bradley L. Kinkead was deployed to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea.
During the struggle in Kosovo, when the US and NATO conducted airstrikes and peace talks to prevent efforts at ethnic cleansing, the news from Webster was non-specific. Notably, medical services addressing the specific needs of the growing ranks of female veterans were offered. Marine Cpl Kris J. Marshall was one of many US troops deployed to support NATO’s stabilization forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina. A year later, his name appears again in the Herald as a Sergeant, reporting his acquisition of force integration and war fighting skills. They would soon be needed.
The ability of the United States and its allies to serve in many places to resolve many conflicts around the world was to be sorely tested in the new millennium.
Iraq War, 2003-2010:
With Great Britain, the US topples the government of dictator Saddam Hussein and struggles to secure government stability. US continues to support Iraq in many areas such as defense, education, human rights, trade, services.
Afghanistan, 2001-present:
Following 9/11/2001 the United States ousted Taliban government, killed Osama Bin Laden and destroyed terrorist camps. Despite the challenges of terrorism at home, the United States still provides training and support to military in Afghanistan as well as basic human services to its citizens. …. and U.S. casualties there continue to mount all too often.
“War on Terror”, “Conflict in the Middle East”, the personalities and locations spread so quickly, the media hardly know what to call these persistent situations. They were devastating in their homelands and devastating as well to those Americans who have served there. In Webster, New York, the news in the September 5, 2001 issue of the Herald included a bakery closing, an Ox Roast and chicken Barbecue, computer classes at the library and a Civil War Days event at the Arboretum. A week later, the headline read “Murder From the Sky” and Mike Sorenson’s editorial acknowledged that hope for the future had been challenged by “heinous and cowardly attack on the United States…”. By September 19, Sorenson and his staff were able to report “Webster Rallies in Response to Attack”. Schools, businesses, individuals, raised flags, raised money, raised awareness as Tony Panetto, a retired US Army veteran, raised the question of how to deal with home-grown terrorists, “groups of Americans that plot every day to destroy this great country”. Syed Ahmed Mustafa, Webster resident, president of NEQALS, left for Ground Zero on September 13 to provide paramedic services, sadly not needed for long. Webster Village Band played a tribute concert September 30 to raise funds for relief charities. Dr, David Russell wrote a guest column about an acquaintance whose son was deployed somewhere in the war on terrorism. This friend remarks about his son ”He might be in Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan or a dozen other countries I didn’t know existed before September 11… I know he’s proud to do his duty.” Webster Veteran’s Day Ceremonies were especially somber that year, a flag crumpled in a wheelchair said it all.
To no one’s surprise, enlistment rates increased in Webster as they did across the country. In 2002, new Webster High School graduate Andrea Skivington became a Marine. That same year, Webster Police Officer Dennis Kohlmeier left his new bride to begin a three-year tour of duty in Iraq. Police Chief Gerald Pickering said of Kohlmeier that he was “so incensed about 9/11 that he left a promising career in law enforcement and took a salary cut of about one half his pay in order to join the service.” The Herald re-named its military section “In Our Service” and featured many articles about Webster residents such as Staff Sgt Anthony Barone and Petty Officer Nancy Bonesteel serving in the middle East and the increased recognition of their service by the American Legion’s Blue Star Banner awards to their families. Awareness of the importance of the U.S. Military resulted in Korean Service medals being awarded fifty years later to Webster residents Robert Brust (Navy) and Leonard Hasman (Marines) in 2002. We were all reminded to “Honor Our Fallen Heroes” in Senator Nozzolio’s and Supervisor Thomas’ editorials of September 11, 2002, as students participated in commemorative activities in their respective schools and more bricks were laid at the Veteran’s Memorial near the gazebo on Route 250 near Main Street.
Enlistment remained high for the next few years. Marine Pvt. Christopher Coene departed for the Arabian Gulf before the end of 2002. Marine Lance Cpl. Scott Royal was serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2003 while Marine fighter pilot, Captain Jeffrey Corriveau finished his tour of duty in Kuwait that year by thanking Webster residents, friends and family for their letters, emails and care packages. In 2004 Webster Nursery School students sent “Bunnies to Baghdad” (washcloths and waterless hand sanitizer) , in care of Army Sgt Philip Kendior, himself a graduate of that nursery school in 1981. Jenell Tomaszweski was gearing up for Marine boot camp just as Army Specialist Rob D’Piazza came home on leave from his 8-month deployment in Iraq and Senator Nozzolio announced a well-deserved increase in property tax exemption for veterans.
The humanitarian function of the US military was highlighted early in 2005 with an article about Navy Petty Officer David McWhinney’s leave from service on the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan. He and his shipmates offloaded 1200 tons of construction materials and equipment to support the building of schools, wells and medical facilities in Haiti. In 2007, Webster school nurses coordinated the collection of beanie babies for sick children in Iraq to be distributed by Navy nurses there. Willink students met in 2008 with their military pen-pals, learning that both soldiers and students relax with video-games when they have a little down-time.
In early 2009, a Webster family narrowly escaped a Hamas attack in Israel, and the National Guard in New York exceeded 100 percent of its authorized strength, recruiting and retaining a force of more than 10,490 soldiers, among them Specialist Stephen Imburgia of Webster. In 2010, the Webster Rotary welcomed home a platoon they had adopted for over a year and Army Staff Sgt. Laurie Cappadonia was home on leave having completed a nine-month tour in Iraq. In 2011, West Webster welcomed the National 9/11 flag, destroyed in the aftermath of the WTC attacks o September 11 and stitched back together by tornado survivors: a symbol of the resilience and compassion of the American people. and now on display at the WTC. The following year, the Webster Senior Center’s flag was replaced by the Webster American Legion’s Auxiliary. Also in 2012, Marine Cpl. Luke Dawson graduated from the Defense Language Institute with an associates degree in Arabic, perhaps a hopeful sign that the US military would soon be able to serve lfewer combative and more supportive and constructive roles in the Middle East.
According to the Pentagon, US combat missions in the Middle East ended in 2014. Local news articles reflect this change and the Herald featured articles on Webster’s American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in 2014, the Memorial Day Parade and Sons of the American Legion and the Webster Warrior Salute program for Veterans with traumatic injuries and PTSD.
But our military needs to be alert and ready for new hot spots to erupt and for old conflicts to resurface. In April of 2016, Webster lost Korean War veteran Floyd Musclow and honored Navy veteran Nate Browning with a Conspicuous Service Medal just as Benjamin Elder graduated from Marine Basic Training. Webster’s history of patriotism and military service is long and strong and promises to remain so in the future. “Every Veteran Has a Story” proclaims the headline in the November 15, 2017 edition of the Herald. It is up to each of us to listen and to learn.
Veterans Services
Modern warfare has become increasingly violent and inhumane. As veterans return from these shattering conflicts, they may need more than a little support to resume civilian life. Webster is ready for their return and boasts several service organizations ready to provide that support.
American Legion
Since 1919 this patriotic veterans organization has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans, supported wounded veterans with Operation Comfort Warriors, raised millions of dollars help veterans and their families and produced important programs for children and youth. Their Service Centers provide veterans with information and support regarding benefits, careers, education, health, and finances.
www.legion.org
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Since 1899 when the it began as separate local organizations to secure rights and benefits for veterans returning from Spain and the Philippines, the VFW has worked to advocate to ensure that veterans receive the respect, support and benefits earned by their service to their country. The VFW’s services include support for VA claims and benefits, financial grants, student veteran support, mental wellness campaign and transition and employment services.
www.vfw.org
Warrior Salute Veteran Services
Warrior Salute provides clinical therapies, case management and transitional housing to veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma so that they may transition back as vital members of their communities. www.cdswarriorsalute.org
Sources:
Don Linborg, American Legion Cottreall-Warner Post 942, 818 Ridge Road, Webster NY 14580
Tony Mitchell, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9483, Webster NY 14580
Monroe County Veterans Service Agency, 125 Westfall Rd, 753-6040
Esther Dunn, WEBSTER… Through the years, 1970. pp. 337.
“Major Military Operations Since World War II.” Infoplease, 200-2017 Sandbox Networks, Inc., 26 Dec. 2017.
https://infoplease.com/timeline/major-military-operations-world-war-ii/
Tim Oliver, Interviews with Veterans at Cherry Ridge in Webster. Eagle Scout Project. Webster Historian’s Office.
Sayed Ahmed Mustafa’s recollections of the 9/11 aftermath in New York City.
The Catholic Courier, November 2017.
Webster Herald, issues cited are listed by year below:
1965: April 14, May 19, September 29, October 13, November 24,
1967: July 12,
1983: October 25, December 21,
1991: January 2, January 8, January 16, January 23, March 27
1992: February 5, December 9, December 30
1993: November 20
1994: January 19, October 26, November 4
1995: January 10, April 24, September 25
1998: May 6, September 16
1999: March 31
2001: September 5, September 12, September 19, September 26, November 9, November 14
2002: January 1, February 20, March 20, May 15, June 5, September 11, October 16,
October 30, November 6
2003: May 28, September 17
2004: April 7, July 7, October 22
2005: January 12, March 30
2007: March 27
2008: February 13, October 15
2009: January 14, February 11
2010: February 3, May 12
2011: August 17
2012: June 20, August 15
2014: February 26, November 5
2015: June 3, October 7, October 21
2016: April 20, April 27
2017: November 15
2019
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