Veterans Speaking November 4^th, 2023

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Mark A. Cozzupoli, Director, Ulster County Veterans Services. Chief Master Sergeant USAF (Ret). Forrely the Command Chief of the 105th Airlift Wing, Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, NY. Was deployed on 5 occasions, which includes tours to Balad Air Bae, Iraq 2005 and Baram Air Base, Afghanistan 2011. More info ?

Irene Perbal, CA, WWII Member of the Dutch Resistance. Born 1933. Lived in Amsterdam 1935-1946 during Nazi occupation. Her mother and father would hide as much as 10 Jewish persons at one time in their home. Irene states that the atmosphere was very much as what you read in the Diary of Anne Frank. We froze with fear every time we heard a truck stopping in our street. 1942 Nazis found the Jews in her home and they took her father to the concentration camp and was killed. More info ?

Matt Gutman, PA, WWII US Navy, was a Higgins boat driver. Made 6 landings in the Pacific, Peleliu, Leyte Gulf, Mindoro, Subic Bay, Luzon and Okinawa. He Survived many brutal landings, brought many wounded Marines and soldiers back to the hospital ships and survived several Kamikaze attacks throughout his tour of duty. More info ?

Joe "Peppy" Sciara, CA, WWII US Army 25th Infantry Div 27th Regiment Heavy Weapons Co. Fought at the Battle of Luzon, Philippines. He was attached to the 81mm mortar unit and manned the 50 cal machine gun. After early losses he went from private to platoon sergeant and continued to fight for 5 1/2 months with nonstop combat in the jungles. At different times he was witness to four of his men being killed in his platoon. Received two Bronze Stars. More info ?

Bill Schiebler, MN, Vietnam, 1965-66 US Army Ranger w/First Air Cavalry Division. After 5 1/2 months of ferocious combat, Schiebler was one of just four soldiers left from the 186 men who were part of his original rifle company. Wounded over 10 times, received four Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for Valor. Fought at the battle of La Drang and only survived himself through a series of what he considers "Miracles". More info ?

Tom Powel, TX, US Air Force 1977-1981 Japan-Security Service and Kelly Air Force Base, TX. Diagnosed in January 2011 with ALS, veterans are twice as likely to contract this disease. More info ?

Darlene Tryon, AZ, US Air Force. Served in five Combat Tours., both a Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom Veteran with 26 years of service. Years later after servicing out near the burning oil fields in Kuwait she was diagnosed with breast cancer and later diagnosed with MS. Today she generously serves her time to volunteer in many veteran organizations. More info ?

1st LT Mary (Edie) Meeks, NY, Vietnam US Army Nurse Corps 1968-1970. Stationed at 3rd Field Hospital Saigon, July 1968, 71st EVAC Hospital, Pleiku, January 1969. Instrumental in getting the Vietnam Nurses statue established at the Vietnam Memorial in DC. More info ?

M'Lou Sorrin, Hurley, NY, Vietnam Army Nurse Corps 1968-1969. Served during the Tet Offensive at 12th EVAC Hospital in Cuchi. Then served in the 67th EVAC in Qui Nhon working in the ICU taking care of the most seriously wounded. More info ?

Hunter Robichaux, TX, Afghanistan US Marines. Served in 3rd ANGLICO. Helped in mission to Save Aziz and his family, which turned into saving 17,000 US Citizens and SIV's (Special Immigrant Visas) from the Withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan. More info ?

Aziz Azizulla, TX, Afghanistan Interpreter for Force Recon Marine Chad Robichaux during Chad's 8 deployments to Afghanistan. He was a teammate, brother, and friend. More than once he saved Chad's life and then he need Chad to save his. More info ?

These speakers will be appearing so long as health permits.

ALL SPEAKERS WERE COMBAT VETERANS.

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