Senator Pam Helming hosted her 9th Annual Veterans’ Recognition Ceremony, honoring area veterans who have made significant contributions in both their military service and civilian lives. The veterans are residents of the 54th Senate District, which includes the communities of Chili, Churchville, and Riga.
Every honoree nominated by a family member, friend, or community leader is included in Senator Helming’s annual recognition program. This year’s ceremony was held at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua on October 30. With several hundred people attending, this ceremony marks one of the Senator’s largest events of the year.
“Hosting this ceremony is one of my greatest honors as a State Senator,” said Senator Helming. “It is my opportunity to personally thank the men and women who served our nation with courage, strength, and selflessness. Their stories are powerful reminders of what it means to serve, and of the freedoms we enjoy because of their sacrifice. This year, our Veterans’ service spans generations and conflicts, from World War II and the Battle of the Bulge to Vietnam and the Global War on Terror.”
Two local veterans were among the more than 40 recognized: Francis Jude Clark from North Chili and Kenneth Juergens from Churchville.
“As a member of a military family, I know that many veterans are humble about their service and do not always share their experiences. As part of my annual event, we capture personal stories and memorable moments shared by each of our honorees and their respective nominators. From this information, we create commemorative books and biography boards that each veteran and family receives. This helps ensure that our veterans’ stories are seen, shared, and remembered. It is important to note that while each story is unique, they all share a common thread: when their military service ended, their service to others continued. To our honorees and all of the Veterans who inspire us every day, I thank you,” said Senator Helming.
