Photos: Wartime Heroes Get Honored
Last Tuesday morning during a ceremony held at Crossgates Mall, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy honored three local veterans while the first annual Military Health Expo went on.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
“I thank you,” says Terence Kindlon, “and that’s all I have to say.” A Marine sergeant, Kindlon fought in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star with a Combat “V” for valor and a Purple Heart. According to literature from Tuesday’s ceremony, Kindlon, “without regard for his personal safety and after sustaining a heat wound … heroically led his men [to safety] all while accurately returning pistol and grenade fire to the enemy line.” He later worked as a criminal defense lawyer, an assistant public defender, and as the acting Albany County Public Defender.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Airman Third Class Gene Loparco speaks about his time in the military and how he now takes photographs around the Capital Region of veterans. Loparco joined the Air Force in 1966 and served with the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing at Tuy Hoa Air Base in Vietnam. Among other honors, he was given a Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. He finished his service with the 96th Strategic Aerospace Wing in Abilene, Texas. He worked for New York State for 24 years as a benefits examiner.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Private First Class Nils Edward Mockler, a U.S. Marine, acknowledges the crowd gathered at Crossgates Mall on Tuesday as Albany County honored three veterans. Mockler joined the Marines at age 18, in 1944, serving as an intelligence scout and fighting on both Iwo Jima and Saipan. He talked about the grueling Battle of Iwo Jima and how he saw the American flag raised atop Mount Suribachi, a scene made famous by Joe Rosenthal’s photograph. Mockler became a teacher.