Congressman Higgins Presents Over 30 Military Service Medals and Ribbons Earned by Seven Local Veterans

"This is an incredible display of dedicated service by Western New York veterans representing three military branches who served a span of time ranging from World War II to the Gulf War," said Congressman Higgins. "Their commitment, individually and collectively, is impressive and has been instrumental in protecting liberty for generations of Americans."

"We are inspired by the service and dedication of these seven local veterans," Commented Paul Marzello, President and CEO for the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park. "We are proud to host them and their families at the Naval Park to give them the honor and recognition they deserve."

Gunner's Mate Raymond Vargo

Raymond Michael Vargo was born June 7, 1923, in Homestead, Pennsylvania, as the seventh of nine children to Michael and Mary Vargo. He will soon celebrate his 100th birthday.

On December 14, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy. After attending Naval Training at Station Sampson, he served on the USS Black, a Fletcher-class destroyer vessel like the USS The Sullivans which is featured at the Buffalo Naval Park. Raymond served as a Gunner's Mate 3rd Class and fought in eight campaigns in the Pacific Theater including the Saipan and Iwo Jima battles, before his Honorable Discharge on January 17, 1946.

After the war, Raymond was employed with Westinghouse in Pittsburgh before relocating to the company's Buffalo location. On May 26, 1950, Raymond married Mary Lou Liskoff and together they had five sons. He retired from Westinghouse in 1983.

A firm believer in the importance of education, Raymond received the surprise of a lifetime when he received an Honorary High School diploma at age 78, sixty years after leaving high school to serve in the war. He was the first veteran to receive this award from his hometown alma mater, Steel Valley High School.

Over the years, Ray enjoyed golfing and taking his family to Allegany State Park for camping vacations. He has six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and resides in Cheektowaga, New York.

For his service over 80 years ago, Gunner's Mate Vargo was awarded:

Private First Class Frank Ivancic

Born in 1922, Frank Ivancic came from a family who dedicated themselves to serving the country. His brothers, Tony, Phil, and Nick all served in the United States Army. His sisters Anne and Barbara worked at Curtiss Wright during the war.

So, it was no surprise that Frank Ivancic enlisted in the United States Army on January 15, 1943. Private First Class Ivancic served as a gunman in Battery C of the 496th AAA Gun Battalion during World War II. He battled for his country and for his life, suffering from Malaria while stationed in the jungle. After three years of service, which included the campaign to liberate the Philippines in the Asian Pacific Theatre, PFC Ivancic was honorably discharged on January 19, 1946.

When he returned from the battlefield, he met his wife, Mary. Together they had seven children: Thomas, Paul, John, Michele, Renee, Elaine, and Ann Marie. Frank used the GI Bill to go to Alfred State University and Milwaukee School of Engineering. He retired as a longtime member of Steamfitters Local #395 in Buffalo.

Frank Ivancic passed away on August 18, 1998, at the age of 75, never receiving the military medals he earned while serving in World War II

The family accepted the following medals earned by Private First Class Ivancic eighty years ago:

Obe Family

As members of the Mohawk Tribe of Six Nations, Steven, Stanley, and Mike, as well as several other members of the Obe family, chose a path forged by many of their Native American ancestors. Throughout our history, American and Alaskan Natives have served in the Armed Forces at five times the national average.

Sergeant Steven Obe

Steven Obe was born on April 1, 1948. He attended Hutchinson Central Technical High School in Buffalo and began his service with the United States Air Force in 1967. A year later he married Ann Holmes. The couple had two daughters, Kimberly and Dawn, who were born at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware where Steven was stationed after enlisting to serve in the Vietnam War. Steven quickly became a leader, rising to the rank of Sergeant at age 21. He served six years before his honorable discharge in 1973.

After retiring from the military, Steven, who currently resides in Amherst, went on to be employed at FMC in Tonawanda, NY as a Millwright skilled tradesman, where he continued until his retirement. Both of Steven and Ann's daughters earned degrees from The State University of New York at Buffalo and are raising their families in Western New York. Steven is the grandfather of three children, Stephanie, Ana, and Sonny.

For his years of dedicated service, Sergeant Obe was awarded:

Congressman Higgins also presented SGT Obe with a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin.

Corporal Stanley Obe

Stanley Obe was born in 1920 in Ontario, Canada where he met his future wife, Audrey Hill. The couple came to Buffalo specifically to help in the World War II effort. Audrey became a US Navy-certified welder and was employed with The Bison Shipbuilding Company. Stanley deployed with the US Army in March 1943. Stationed in Egypt and central Europe as a radar crewman, he was engaged in the Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns with the 463rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion.

After his honorable discharge in November of 1945, Corporal Obe married Audrey Hill at the Mohawk Chapel in Brantford, Ontario. They chose Buffalo to be their home and raised four children: Richard, Steven, Sueann, and Michael. Audrey and Stanley served as caretakers of the cathedral located at Delaware Avenue and West Utica. Both were also employed at Deaconess Hospital on Humboldt Parkway, Audrey as a seamstress and Stanley as a maintenance worker. Stanley Obe passed away on March 27, 2001, never receiving his medals.

On behalf of his father, Steven Obe and the family accepted the following medals awarded to Corporal Obe:

Specialist Michael Obe

Michael Obe was born in Buffalo on August 5, 1958, and graduated from Hutchinson Central Technical High School. He began his service in the United States Army on September 11, 1980, rising to the rank of Specialist while stationed in Germany. After nearly six years of honorable service, he was discharged on September 10, 1986. Upon returning home, Specialist Obe worked at FMC as a control room operator and retired to Phoenix, Arizona. Specialist Michael Obe passed away on September 2, 2021, never receiving his medals.

The family of Specialist Michael Obe was presented with the:

Yeoman Second Class Gwen Hawkins-Rutledge

Gwen Hawkins-Rutledge first enlisted in the United States Navy at age 18 on August 17, 1979, inspired by her father's Navy service during WWII. Gwen served in the Navy for an incredible 16 years, rising to the rank of Yeoman Second Class. It was in the Navy where she met her late husband Henry Colon, both providing critical military computer and communications support.

Yeoman Second Class Hawkins-Rutledge was stationed at numerous locations stateside and abroad throughout her tenure. Her service includes support in the Gulf War's Operation Desert Storm, assisting the Marines in the invasion of Grenada, and response following Hurricane Hugo in Puerto Rico.

Upon returning home, Gwen began a career serving her military brothers and sisters as an employee with the Buffalo VA Medical Center before her retirement. Yeoman Second Class Hawkins-Rutledge, a Cheektowaga resident, is still an active advocate for veterans, including years of volunteering with the Patriot Guard Riders.

For her years of service with the US Navy, Yeoman Hawkins-Rutledge was awarded:

Sergeant Thomas Schroeder

Thomas Schroeder was born in Niagara Falls, New York in 1946. He was the second youngest of thirteen children. He and his siblings attended Niagara School No. 2, a one-room schoolhouse that is now a museum, in the Town of Niagara.

In 1965, at the age of 19, Mr. Schroeder was drafted into the United States Army to serve during the Vietnam War. Assigned to the 3rd Infantry Regiment, Schroeder rose to the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1968. Thomas, who lives in North Tonawanda, married Jean, the love of his life, and together they had two children, Michael and Julie.

For his service 58 years ago, Sergeant Schroeder was awarded:

Congressman Higgins also presented Sergeant Schroeder with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin.

Veterans and their families are welcome to reach out to Congressman Higgins’ office for assistance with veteran healthcare, benefits, service medals, education, or small business assistance at: 716-852-3501.