Honor A Veteran

Date of Ceremony	Name of Deceased Veteran
January 9, 2012	Walter F. Larsen
February 13, 2012	James J. Kenney
March 12, 2012	Curtis Lee Jones
April 9, 2012	Francis "Dan" Dougherty
May 14, 2012
June 11, 2012
July 9, 2012
August 13, 2012
September 10, 2012
October 9, 2012
November 13, 2012
December 10, 2012

Hello, my name is Martin Reid and it is my honor to serve as Chairman of the Legislature. It is also my honor to welcome you to the Rensselaer County Legislature as we honor the service and sacrifice of Walter F. Larson.

Born January 9, 1923 in Tacoma, Washington to Walter and Marie Larson, Walter grew up and attended schools in Duluth, Minnesota. The information on Walter indicates that sadly, he had no surviving siblings. He was employed by the Cleveland Steel Erecting Company in Minnesota as a journeyman welder.

Walter worked in various areas of the Midwest, until the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Just months after the attack, and about to turn 20, Walter enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1943.

Following training, Walter was assigned to serve with the Seabees 70^th Battalion, Company D and took part in invasions of Sicily and Italy in the European Theatre. The invasions of Sicily and Italy were known for often brutal fighting, with German forces often defending the high ground with significant firepower.

Seabees had the difficult task of building roads and bridges often just behind advancing troops. Because of this, Seabees were exposed to heavy fire and experienced considerable casualties. At times during fiercely contested battles, with the front lines changing, lightly armed Seabees sometimes found themselves in contact with enemy forces.

After his service, Walter then was assigned to the Pacific Theatre, where he served in New Hebrides and Guam. As in the Italy and Sicily invasions, Walter and his unit would have likely been in close proximity to enemy forces.

As part of the island-hopping campaign in the Pacific, it is also likely that Walter and his unit helped construct and maintain airfields used to bomb mainland Japan and other Japanese-held territories and positions. And Walter and his unit would have been exposed to enemy fire and the tropical elements. Walter was injured or wounded, and spent six months in a naval hospital during his service.

He was honorably discharged in June 1945, just weeks after the surrender in Europe and just two months before the end of the war in the Pacific. Walter rose to the rank of Ship Fitter First Class, and was awarded the American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Honorable Discharge Medal.

In 1945, Walter began a life away from the military, marrying the former Marion Dagle. They settled in Troy, later living in Valley Falls, and were married for 54 years, becoming parents to Kathleen, Robert, Kevin, Brian, twins Timothy and Thomas and a daughter Ann who sadly died as a child. Walter worked at the Norton Company in Watervliet and was a member of the Papermakers Local Union 17, eventually retiring from that job in 1983.

Walter’s military service may have ended but his service to the community was just beginning. Walter recounted that when he was younger, he spent some time in a youth home, and veterans came and provided special events and programs for the children.

Walter vowed as a child that if given the opportunity, he would return the favor. He became very active in the Lansingburgh Independent Baseball League and the Pop Warner Football, working for decades with both organizations, and receiving the Hall of Fame Award from the Independent Baseball League. He was eventually recognized by the New York State Assembly for years of advocacy to allow for revenues from the playing of bingo to be used to benefit non-profit organizations like youth and veteran groups.

He chaired bingo committees for both organizations to help raise needed funds. Active in the Disabled American Veterans Post, Walter transported veterans to the V.A. hospital for nearly forty years, coordinated food donations to the Little Sisters of the Poor for 10 years, and helped many other individuals and organizations. In fact, Walter was known to travel 8000 miles a year to volunteer for various organizations.

There is not enough time or space to list all the good done by Walter Larson during his life. His life was truly one of giving, compassion and service. It should be noted that all of these good works were done as Walter underwent numerous bone operations, raised eight children, cared for a wife suffering from a heart ailment and helped his mother-in-law, who was blind.

His efforts were recognized by the community. In 1989, County Executive John Buono awarded Walter the second annual Rensselaer County Veterans Citizenship Award.

Sadly, Walter Larson passed away on January 12, 2006. We remember his great service to our nation, serving on two fronts during World War II and helping defeat the forces of tyranny. We also recognize Walter for his service to the community following the war, and his great dedication to his fellow veterans and his family.

James Joseph Kenney was born in Hoosick Falls, New York on December 6, 1927 to parents James and Frances (Maley) Kenney. James was their only child. He was a lifelong resident of Hoosick Falls.

James attended Walter A. Wood High School and graduated in 1945 and briefly attended Siena College.

At the age of 15, “Skins”, as he was known by his childhood friends, told a small fib and he joined the New York Guard. At the age of 17, with his father’s assistance, he enlisted in the United States Navy. Rumor has it that it was weeks before his mother spoke to either of them. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1947 and 3 days later, he enlisted as a private in the National Guard. Working for the State Division of Military and Naval Affairs in the adjutant general’s office, he rose through the ranks to the level of Colonel. Between 195 and 1977, he was the assistant director of Military Personnel and administration and State Quartermaster responsible for 90 New York State armories and 11 air bases. He retired in 1977 from the New York Army National Guard and was later honored with a brevet promotion to Brigadier General. Jim then joined the Army Reserve where he was assigned to a selective service unit as Commander. For his honorable service to his country, he was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with devices, State Military Commendation Medal, 35 Year Long and Faithful Service Medal, Duty In Aid to Civil Authority Medal with 3 clusters, State Recruiting Medal and New York Guard Ribbons.

Jim married Leona (Jones) Kenney on April 16, 1966 in Berlin, New York and from that union they had three children: Stacy, Kathleen, and James II. They were blessed with 5 grandchildren: Jonah, Sarah, Lane, Riley, and Shamus.

He was employed by the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs and the DEC New York Division of Environmental Conservation for more than 54 years.

He was a former assessor for the Town of Hoosick, a member of the NYS Assessors Association, member and former board member of the Hoosick Rescue Squad and Town of Hoosick Planning Board, member of the BPO Elks, American Legion, National Rifle Association, as well as a Life Member of the US National Guard Association. Jim was a devote Catholic and a lifelong communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls. Jim enjoyed hunting, gun collecting, long rides; especially patrolling the Tomhannock Reservoir. Jim was not only a man devoted to his country, but he was very devoted to his family.

Sadly, James Joseph Kenney passed away on July 25, 2011 and was buried with full military honors at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, N.Y.

Curtis Lee Jones was born in Valatie, New York on November 10, 1915 to parents Lee Elisha and G. Louise (Scouden) Jones. Curtis had 3 brothers: Livingston, Russell, Warren and 1 sister, Lynette. He later resided in Petersburg and Poestenkill.

Curtis attended school in Petersburg and School 16 in Troy, New York and graduated from Troy High School in 1934.

Curtis Lee Jones was inducted into the United States Army on April 7, 1944. He was in Co. L, 16^th Infantry Regiment, 1^st Infantry Division stationed in Germany. Private Curtis L. Jones was first reported missing in action on November 23, 1944 north of Heistern, Germany and approximately 17 years later, his body was discovered by German workmen during the expansion of a quarry at Langerwehe, Germany. For his honorable service to his country, he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Curtis married Eleanor (Bubie) Jones on February 4, 1938 at Eleanor’s home in Poestenkill and from that union they had 2 children: Carole and Helen. They were blessed with 6 grandchildren: Bonnie, John Zayhowski, Jr., David, Douglas, Cynthia, and John Middleton, Jr.

Curtis was employed at the John Schumann Feed Mill in Poestenkill, N.Y. and later worked for the former Diamond Rock Creamery in Troy, N.Y. before entering the military.

He was a member of the Poestenkill Volunteer Fire Company, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Poestenkill, and the West Sand Lake Grange. He is one of the two servicemen for whom Sullivan-Jones Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, in Poestenkill is named. Curtis also enjoyed working on the family farm, going to auctions, and spending time with his family.

Sadly, Curtis Lee Jones was buried in Meadowlawn Cemetery in Petersburg, New York.

FAMILY HISTORY:
Francis “Dan” Dougherty was born in Troy, New York on January 3, 1931 to parents John J. Dougherty, Sr. and Helen (McGrath) Dougherty. Dan had 3 brothers: Edward, John Jr., Thomas and 2 sisters: Helen and Jean.

HISTORY:
Dan was inducted into the United States Army on April 18, 1951 in Troy, New York. He was wounded on “Old Baldy” in Korea in 1952. He was promoted from Private First Class to Corporal in 1952. He retired after 30 years in the Army as Master Sergeant. For his honorable service to his country, he was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, and United Nations Service Medal.

PERSONAL:
Francis “Dan” Dougherty married Yvonne (Maloney) Dougherty on August 27, 1955 at St. Patrick’s Church in Troy, N.Y. and from that union they had one daughter, Colleen. They were blessed with 3 grandchildren: Carey, Lisa, and Stacy and 9 great-grandchildren.

WORK EXPERIENCE:
Dan was employed as a foreman for the Norton Company in Watervliet, N.Y. before entering the military. Dan retired from the Watervliet Arsenal where he worked as a security guard for several years.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
He was a past Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, life member of the Sullivan-Jones Post VFW in Poestenkill, North Troy Rod and Gun Club, Tibbits Cadets in Lansingburgh, Veterans of Foreign Wars Korean War Veterans Alliance, and Disabled American Veterans Chapter Rev. F. A. Kelley #38. Dan was also a member of the 27^th Infantry Association, Veterans of Lansingburgh, and Northeast Chapter Korean War Veterans Association. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Sadly, Francis “Dan” Dougherty passed away on May 29, 2009 and was buried with full military honors in the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.