Veteran of the Month

DaVina grew up on the northern east coast with a strong military influence rooted in servicing others. Out of fourteen children, she was number eleven and grew up with three siblings. They routinely ate Sunday dinner at her grandmother’s house as a youth. After which, DaVina would accompany her grandfather to deliver food to neighbors…

United States Air Force Veteran, Sharon B. Robertson, had a unique upbringing but one that potentially prepared her for life in the military. Robertson had a strong military family background, and by 1970, she was picked to be part of a groundbreaking program that made her the face of women in the Air Force. Here…

Harry T. Delk was born in Flushing, NY, in 1935, as the Great Depression was nearing an end. His father was in the Army, and the family was transferred to New Jersey when his father was stationed at Fort Dix. The family eventually moved to Athens, NY, and lived with their grandfather in the house…

Margaret “Chris” Thornburg has all the qualities that define southern charm. She is polite, kind, witty, and considerate. You can imagine yourself sitting on a front porch swing on a warm afternoon, sipping sweet tea, laughing, and talking with her for hours. She instantly feels like someone you’ve known your whole life or at…

James Wideman was born in May of 1945 in St. Louis, MO. He was the fifth child of seven. There were six boys and one girl. Wideman enjoyed growing up in the city, spending his days with friends playing basketball, bottle caps, softball, and jumping garage roofs when they were close enough. “It was a…

During Vietnam, Kenneth Fontenot was part of a classified underground electronics unit for the Army Signal Corps. After the military, he did many different jobs, from construction, electrical, roughnecking, ambulance attendant, preacher, and therapist. He said, “My daddy called me an educated fool, learned everything, and never stuck with one thing.” Fontenot stated, “I almost…

Respect. That is what Dean Baubach carried with him after his military service. A greater appreciation for our country, respect for our flag, and respect for the men and women who are willing to give up everything to defend our country. Dean Baubach was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN, in 1944 as the…

Within the first few minutes of speaking with World War II Veteran Jessie Smith, you realize you have forgotten all your problems, and you just want to spend the rest of the day listening to what he has to say. At 99 years old, he is the oldest and most beloved citizen in Saint Rose,…

Andrew Mantlik was born on January 11, 1921, in a small, picturesque village called Hernadszentandras. The village located in northeastern Hungary was named after the patron Saint Andrew, and the word “Hernad” was added for the river that flows beside the village. After losing his mother at a young age, Mantlik, one of five children,…

Joe Caserta World War II Veteran | U.S. Army 1943-1945 It’s not every day you get to interview a hero, someone that has done incredible things. Survived things that most people can’t even imagine. How do you honor a hero like this? You can start by telling his story. In late October, Judith Russell,…