By Rebecca Henely
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) honored four veterans of World War II and the Vietnam War at his office last Thursday in anticipation of Memorial Day.
While two of the honorees were unable attend, Avella said he was glad to recognize the veterans with Senate resolutions, presented at his district office at 38-50 Bell Blvd. The four former military members came from across the borough and were nominated to receive the recognition by the heads of their veterans organizations.
“It’s a privilege to do it because we don’t do enough for our veterans,” Avella said.
Two of the honorees came from the Whitestone VFW Post No. 4787 and served in World War II. Flushing resident Loretta Weiss, who could not make the ceremony due to an illness, was recognized for serving in the U.S. Army from 1942-45. Five years later, Weiss returned to duty as a supply sergeant and performed confidential prep clearance in the Korean and Vietnam wars until she was discharged in 1975.
Frank Peloso, a former post commander of the Whitestone VFW, was also acknowledged for his service in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Peloso, who served from 1939-45, participated in low-flying combat air drops in China, Burma and India.
Peloso said he was 18 when he entered the service and he was glad to be remembered for Memorial Day.
“I was very proud,” Peloso said of serving, “and I was very happy to be able to help out my country.”
From the Vietnam Veterans of America Queens Chapter No. 32, Middle Village resident Thomas Corbin, who could not attend due to a family illness, received recognition for his time in the war with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1962-66. He was a field radio operator at the time of his discharge.
The other recipient from Chapter No. 32 was Paul Feddern, a Forest Hills resident who served in the U.S. Army from April 1967 to December 1968 in the Vietnam War. He was humble upon getting the resolution.
“We are by far not the heroes,” Feddern said. “The soldiers that have given their lives, they’re the heroes.”
Chapter No. 32 President Paul Narson, who nominated Corbin and Feddern and accepted the award on behalf of Corbin, praised both former soldiers.
“Without them, I wouldn’t be the president,” Narson said. “One’s my left arm, the other’s my right arm and they’re worthy of these awards.”
Avella said while he tries to recognize the nation’s veterans for Memorial Day and Veterans Day on Nov. 11, he believes what veterans did for the United States should be remembered every day.
“These are individuals who gave up their life at one point to go out and defend liberty,” he said.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
