Loudonville Resident Joseph Pollicino Honored At New York State Military Museum on Saturday, Nov. 14

Related Media

Joseph Pollicino as a young Marine in Vietnam ( Courtesy Joseph Pollicinio)

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (11/13/2015)(readMedia)-- The New York State Military Museum will host a ceremony honoring Loudonville resident Joseph Pollicino, a veteran of the Vietnam War, as Capital Region Veteran of the Year Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

The award is co-sponsored by the Friends of the New York State Military Museum and the Association of the United States Army's Capital District Chapter.

WHO: Joseph Pollicino, a Vietnam veteran and former director of the Albany County Veterans' Service Bureau; Rep. Paul Tonko; New York Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Michael Swezey; Dave Wallingford, President of Friends of the New York State Military Museum; Retired Command Sgt. Major Robert Van Pelt, President of the Capital District Chapter of the Association of the United States Army; and Retired Brig. Gen. Barry Hartman.

WHAT: Ceremony honoring Pollicinio as the Veteran of the Year. The ceremony will include remarks from Tonko and Swezey, and the presentation to Pollicinio of a plaque and a flag. A color guard from the New York Army National Guard's 466th Area Support Medical Co. will be part of the event.

WHEN: 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015

WHERE: New York State Military Museum, 61 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY

Coverage Opportunities:

Interviews with Pollicino and other participants. Video and still imagery opportunities include the event, Museum exhibits, and presentation and retiring of the colors by the New York Army National Guard Color Guard.

Background:

Joseph Pollicinio

Joe Pollicino served in the US Marine Corps from 1966 to 1968. His tour in Vietnam, from March 1967 to April 1968, was with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division as a "Mud Marine" (Infantryman) in Quang Tin Province.

He first arrived in Chu Lai, moved to Tam Ky, then in May 1967 participated in Operation Union II for which his unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. They then moved to Hill 63 south of Da Nang and ran patrols until Operation Swift in September 1967 and, later, Operation Shelby. He was promoted to Corporal 1 November 1967. Joe redeployed stateside in April 1968.

For his valor and service he was awarded a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, 3 Presidential Unit Citations, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Meritorious Unit Citation, RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm and Frame, RVN Civil Actions Medal with Palm and frame, RVN Campaign Medal.

After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, he had careers with Grand Union and then the US Postal Service.

He has been very active in a number of Veterans organizations and served as Albany County Director of Veterans' Service Bureau 2005-2010, and again Acting Director, April to August 2012.

He is a member and past President of the Tri-County Council Vietnam Era Veterans 1985-1994, 1996-1998, and 2005 - present. He is also a member of the 1st Marine Division Association, Capt. Wm. Dale O'Brien Detachment (Marine of the Year 1999), VFW post 8444, Military Order of the Purple Heart, DAV Chapter 10, and American Legion Post 1520. He served on and was a driving member of the NYS Vietnam Memorial, Albany Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Town of Colonie Memorial Committees.

Joe and his wife Joyce have two sons, Joe and Bobby, and seven grandchildren.

Friends of the New York State Military Museum

The mission of Friends is to be a support to the New York State Military Museum, to aid in fund raising for exhibits and displays, as well as assisting in drawing attention to the museum through programs, lectures and events.

Association of the United States Army

AUSA is a private, non-profit educational organization that supports America's Army - Active, National Guard, Reserve, Civilians, Retirees, Government Civilians, Wounded Warriors, Veterans, and family members. AUSA provides numerous Professional Development Opportunities at a variety of events both local and national.

Since 1950, the Association of the United States Army has worked to support allaspects of national security while advancing the interests of America's Army andthe men and women who serve.

New York State Military Museum & Veterans Research Center

The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center is housed in the historic New York State Armory in Saratoga Springs and is a component of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. The mission of the museum and research center is to preserve, interpret and disseminate the story, history and records of New York State's military forces and veterans. The collection is divided into the museum and the library/archives holdings.

The museum has permanent exhibits telling the story of New York's men and women in the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Revolutionary War and as members of the state militia in the 19th Century. The museum has more than 10,000 artifacts ranging from the Revolutionary War to the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The New York State Military Museum is also responsible for the historical exhibits and artifacts at New York's 41 Army National Guard armories. These artifacts and displays, which include historic armored vehicles once used by the Guard, connect current Army National Guard Soldiers with those who served in the past.