New York State Senator Pam Helming honored these veterans last month. Photo provided by Helming’s office
New York State Senator Pam Helming honored 32 local veterans at her 10th Annual Veterans Recognition Ceremony on October 23 at the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua. The ceremony brought together veterans, their families, friends, and community members to recognize their military service and continued contributions to their communities. Since the first ceremony in 2017, the program has recognized hundreds of veterans.
The honorees live in the 54th Senate District, which includes Livingston, Ontario, and Wayne counties, as well as portions of Monroe County. Community leaders, veterans organizations, family members, and friends nominated them. This year’s honorees include veterans who served during World War II, Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“So many of these veterans came home and kept on serving,” said Senator Helming. “They became firefighters, coaches, business owners, community leaders, and advocates for their fellow veterans. That commitment to serving others continued long after their military service ended. Our communities are stronger because of them, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to recognize all they have given.”
Together, this year’s honorees represent more than 300 years of military service across the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. Senator Helming recognized each honoree individually, presenting them with a commemorative booklet and biography board highlighting their military and civilian accomplishments and helping preserve their stories for future generations.
Local Civil Air Patrol cadets helped usher the veterans, while color guards from Canandaigua American Legion Post 256, Shortsville American Legion Post 34, and Marine Corps League Memorial Day Detachment 468 participated in the ceremony. Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby and Pastor David Cialini of Heritage Baptist Church in Palmyra also took part, helping make the event a meaningful tribute to the honorees and their families.
“My father served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, and my son-in-law served in the United States Army as a Green Beret. As part of a military family, I know how much service asks of both those in uniform and their loved ones,” said Senator Helming. “Families make sacrifices of their own, standing beside our veterans through deployments, time apart, and the return to civilian life. They deserve our recognition and gratitude, too. This ceremony is a chance to share these veterans’ stories, honor their service, and let them and their families know how deeply grateful we are for all they have given.”
2026 Veterans Recognition Ceremony Honorees
Ontario County
Peter Bresette, Canandaigua
Chad Christensen, Canandaigua
Eric Heieck, Geneva
Kenneth Gayhart, Geneva
Charles Hippert, Geneva
David Haag, Geneva
David King, Seneca
Thomas Schwab, Canandaigua
Jim Swing, Canandaigua
Kyle Wirth, Farmington
John Schlesing, Farmington
James Galasso, Farmington
John Cipollina, Canandaigua
David Hefti, Naples
Timothy Brown, Victor
Dakota Orbaker, Seneca
Cierra Pierce, Bloomfield
Wayne County
Kay Rathke, Ontario
Scott Peters, North Rose
Thomas Putnam, Williamson
William Gleichauf, Williamson
Eugene Van Deusen, Wolcott
Roger Pritchard, Wolcott
Livingston County
Anthony Gaiter, Conesus
Mike Falk, Lima
Robert Ciecierega, Geneseo
Dennis Staley, Geneseo
Brandon Mastin, Springwater
Ted Conrad, Mount Morris
Monroe County
Luann VanPeursem, Churchville
David Brown, Chili
Richard Gatto, Honeoye Falls
