Village of Homer Police & Fire Departments Honor Veterans During Saturday Morning Ceremony

On Saturday, November 9th, members of the Homer Police & Fire Departments along with representatives of the Village of Homer gathered at the Veterans Police and Fire Memorial at Durkee Park in the Village of Homer.

Back in 1926 Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

Homer Fire Department Veterans:

• Bill Reif – Army WWII
• Emil Wakula (Koolie) – Army Vietnam Purple Heart
• Mahlon Irish, Sr. – Army Korea Past Chief
• Don Mudge – Army
• Charlie Crosley – Marine Past Chief
• Ken Wheeler – Army
• Ralph Thornton – Army
• David Barber – Army
• Charlie Ford, Sr. – Army
• Francis Riter Nany -Sea Bees Past Dept. Pres
• Joe Riley – Marine Iraq/Afghanistan
• John Riter – Army Korea Past Chief – mentor
• Gary McEuen – Air Force Sergeant
• Maynard Cottom – Navy WWII
• Mike MaGee – Army
• Pat Helms – Army Vietnam
• Leonard Contento – Army WWII
• Bob Johnson – Army/Reserves Rescue Squad
• Rick Reddick – Marine Desert Storm
• Brandon Fairbanks – Army
• Thomas Bernheim (Bonzo) – Navy
• Fred Coolidge – Army Vietnam
• Gordy Ivory – Marine Dept. Chaplin
• Don Glover – Air Force
• John Ryan, Sr. – Air Force Past Chief

Homer Police Department Veterans:

Past Officers:

• Chief George Vernum – Marine WWI
• Chief David Sampson – Army Vietnam

Current Officers:

• Officer F. Jay Forbes – Air Force /Dept Chaplin
• Officer David VanOrden – Army