Public honors

Way-Co graduates enlist in the military

Posing beside the Veterans’ Memorial at the Theodore Van Tassell American Legion Post 40 are four 2012 Wayland-Cohocton High School graduates before a ceremony held to their recognize their forthcoming entrance into military service.

Pictured from left, with hometown and military branch) Matt Sackett (Springwater, Army), David Lucas (North Cohocton, Air Force), Olivia Sulli (Wayland, Air Force), and Kyle Buckley (Cohocton, Air Force). Absent from the photo were David Bayer (Wayland, Navy) and Hannah Grosher (Wayland, Air Force ROTC).

About 50 family, friends local officials and previous Way-Co graduates currently serving in the armed forces gathered Friday to praise and support these young people who have signed up to serve their country.

This is the third year Post 402 (which is celebrating its 90th anniversary) has held such a ceremony. Post Commander Kevin Mark opened the ceremony followed by comments by Legion member and Wayland Village Mayor Brian McCoy who shared some humorous details of his time at boot camp, along with some insight into the benefits he gained from his weeks there.

Other officials who attended the gathering were Town of Wayland Board member Gordon Sick, Town of Springwater Deborah Babbitt-Henry and Springwater Board member Larry Gnau. While a slide show of recent Way-Co graduates who are or have served played behind the dais, Rochelle Sulli (Olivia’s mother, who has other children serving as well) handed the honorees certificates of appreciation sent by state Assemblyman Tom Reed.

She then introduced 10 or so of these graduates who were in attendance at the event. Mark closed the ceremony by saying it was his wish that he “hoped other towns and villages would so honor those who are preparing to serve their country and communities.”

— DJ Smith