32 Commercial St. Suite 3 PO Box 186, Honesdale, PA 18431
Gerald W. ATKINSON JR.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. Gerald went by the nickname of “J” and was in the Navy from December 1993 until May 1999. He was an Air Traffic Controller and attained the rank of AC 2 (E-5). J did his basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois. His A-School training was in Millington, Tennessee where he finished top in his class. He was assigned to Paxriver, Maryland for 3 years as an Air Traffic Controller. He was overseas for 16 months in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece. Gerald earned and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, and a NATO Medal. J was born and raised in Honesdale. After his Navy service J went into a sales career.
Banner Location
Between Apple Day Spa and Dowling Eye Care on Willow Avenue
gERALD W. (JERRY) ATKINSON SR.
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Jerry entered the Army on December 14, 1965, at the age of 21. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington state where the 4th Division was formed and readied to ship out to Vietnam. As a member of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, Jerry was in the Saigon area of Vietnam at the Cu Chi base camp. He attained the rank of SP4. He was Company B's Commander radio operator carrying a PRC 10 radio pack on his back and also operated the Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) radio when on perimeter defense duty at night. When out in the field Jerry would be out a month or more each time. They would try to contact and engage the Viet Cong in sweeps and operations in Ho Bo Woods, Iron Triangle, and the area that surrounded Cu Chi base camp and the area to the north. Some of the operations he saw action in were Manhattan, Cedar Falls, Attleboro, and Junction City. Jerry earned and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign and Service medals, Good Conduct Medal, Expert Rifleman (M-14) medal, and 2 Purple Heart medals. Despite all the action Jerry was involved in, he managed to take in a USO show where he saw the Miss America contestants. Being a lifelong resident of Wayne County, he returned here on discharge from the Army. He worked for a short period for the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company, he then worked for the U.S. Postal
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Across from B&B Dodge on Willow Avenue
LEONARD j. AUCIELLO
Better known as "Leo" was a Navy veteran. He served as a Seaman from Oct. 1951 to Sept. 1955. Leo served his country stationed on the USS Columbus (CA-74). Leo earned several medals: the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. After an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Leo continued to serve the public as an NYC firefighter. Upon retirement, he moved to Wayne County in 1969 to the Beach Lake area
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1315 Main St
ALEX L. BADUM
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. Alex served during Operation Enduring Freedom as a Hospital Corpsman and has attained the rank of HM 1. His duty stations include Lehigh Valley, PA, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He has earned and been awarded 5 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals. A graduate of Honesdale High School, Alex remains on active duty at this writing.
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151 Sunrise Avenue
Carl Bell
A veteran of the US Air Force attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Carl proudly served during WWII as a Bombardier on a B-24. He saw action in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was stationed in New Guinea, Morotai, and the Philippines. During his time in battle, Carl received five Battle Stars and two Air Medals with two Oak Leaf Clusters along with numerous ribbons. At the end of his service, Carl pursued his career as a school gym teacher.
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Corner of 10th St & Church St
ART BONHAM
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Art was in the Army from 1955 until 1957. He received a Sharpshooter Medal. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, and worked as a mechanic. He attained the rank of PFC. During his time in service, Art went to all movies that Audie Murphy was in because Audie previously lived in the same barracks he resided in and was an honorable person and soldier. Art was born and raised in Wayne County and still resides, at this writing, in Honesdale. He worked for Penn DOT and was a mechanic at Geo. W. Kinsmans.
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269 Terrace St
ORVILLE JAY BRANNING
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. Jay, as he was called, served from 1958 to 1965 with 2 years of active duty and 4 years in the Reserves. He served aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, Fourth Naval District where his home port was in Mayport, Florida. He was a boiler operator and attained the rank of BT3. Jay spent time in Puerto Rico and had tours in the Mediterranean Sea. He enjoyed ports of call in Greece, Spain, Italy, France, and Gibraltar. He was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal. Being a lifelong resident of Wayne County, Jay returned here where he worked for the Wayne Highlands School. He retired after 22 years, with the school district, as the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds.
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1407 Main St
JAMES LEO BRENNAN
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Jim served during the Vietnam era from July 1965 until May 1969. He was stationed in Germany and worked as an auto mechanic. Jim was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He was born and raised in Wayne county, and at the time of this writing, still resides in Honesdale.
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East side of Church St between Highlights building and Grace Episcopal Church
michael T. BRESSET
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. Mike served during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Attack Squadron 113 as an Aviation Machinist's Mate and attained the rank of AMH3. Mike was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Commendation with 1 star, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 stars, and the National Defense Service Medal. As a lifelong resident of Wayne county, he returned home after his military service. He worked at the Acme Market as a manager of the produce dept. He also worked for a time at the IGA in Hawley and Super Duper in Honesdale. He was also a real estate investor. Mike passed away in August of 2016.
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Corner of Lincoln St and Willow Avenue
james bruck
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Jim worked as a Telecommunications Controller and ECM Repairman-Airborne during the Vietnam War from 1964 until 1968. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. His duty stations included Thule AB, Greenland, Westover AFB, Massachusetts, and Anderson AFB, Guam. Jim earned and was awarded the Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Outstanding Unit Citation. He related a story when he was working on a B-52 bomber, and twelve 250-pound bombs dropped off the wing rack. Luckily for him and those around him, they did not detonate. While serving, he got to take in a WSO show starring Bob Hope. After his time in service, he worked for AT&T as a Satellite Controller and Loral Space Systems Project Manager. Jim still resides in Honesdale.
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Between Brown St & Young St on Willow Avenue
DALE CARTER BRYANT
A veteran of the Army National Guard. Dale worked in Communications and was a Squad Leader. He attained the rank of Sergeant. His duty stations included Fort Lewis, Washington; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and during his final years with the 109th Infantry in Honesdale. Dale was on active duty during the Agnes flood in 1972 and was assisting with all needs and with the major task of cleaning up. He almost didn't make it back in time for his wedding date to his now wife of nearly 50 years. A longtime resident of Wayne County Dale works as a truck driver.
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1735 Main St
HOWARD R. BRYANT
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Howard served in Vietnam as an Infantryman and attained the rank of SP 4. Before being deployed to Vietnam he was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. Howard earned and was awarded several medals which include, the Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, 1 OS Bar, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. Howard is a lifetime resident of Wayne County. When he returned here after his service he worked as a truck driver.
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By Wayne Bank on Willow Avenue
WILLIAM F. BUCKINGHAM
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Bill served in WWII as a Scout for the 413th Infantry 104th (Timberwolf) Division. He attained the rank of Corporal. Bill saw a great deal of action in Central Europe and Rhineland. He earned and was awarded two Bronze Star Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, WWII Victory Ribbon, Army of Occupation Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Sharpshooter-Rifle Bar. His daughter wrote a tribute poem, titled “Young Soldier,” to her Dad that was published in an article in the local newspaper on Veterans Day 1999. The article was titled “A Veteran, A Hero, A Dad.” Her poem follows......He was just 19, only a lad when he said goodbye to his mom and dad. A country boy, bare feet and tan but on that day he became a man. His country called. He'll serve with pride. To take the place of those who died. He followed commands. He learned to fight. He hid by day and was a scout by night. His protection from the war was God and his gun. He learned to pray but never to run. The war then ended. Three years had passed. He'd be shipped home to his family at last. Now, the war has left him scarred inside and out but this brave young man, an Army Scout. I am so glad he survived, this country lad, so I could say Thank you, Dad. When he returned home Bill worked as a Carpenter and Maintenance man. He was a member of the VFW Honesdale Post 531 and an active member of his church.
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Between 6th St & 7th St on Church St
KENNETH N.BURDICK
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Known to family and friends as “Kenny” he served in WWII from 1942 until 1946. He was stationed in Belgium, France, and Germany. He was a technician and attained the rank of Corporal. After his time in the service, he returned to Wayne County where he started his own business, Burdick's Auto Service, and was the official AAA Towing service representative for over 40 years. Kenny passed away in June of 1995.
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Corner of 9th St & Church St
JAMES E. BURKE
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Jim served during the Korean Conflict as a Supply Specialist and attained the rank of Corporal. His duty stations along with Korea were Fort Meade, Maryland, where he served with the 3rd Cavalry Honor Guard; Camp McCall, North Carolina; Camp Drum, New York; and Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky. Jim earned and was awarded the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star and the United States Service Medal. During his time in Korea, he did not see any USO shows but Francis Cardinal Spellman, the 6th Archbishop of New York visited the troops. After returning home Jim worked as an Accountant. At this writing, Jim still resides in Honesdale.
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Between Brown St & Young St on Willow Avenue
JOSEPH W. BURKE
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Joe served in the Army from November 1961 until November 1963. His work was in Communications, and he attained the rank of Specialist 4th Class. His duty stations included South Carolina, Georgia, and Oklahoma. He earned and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. He also attained Sharpshooter-Rifle and Marksman-Carbine. After his time in service, Joe returned to Wayne County where he was born and raised. He worked as a salesman for Eberhardt's Wholesale Candy and Tobacco. He later became the owner of the company.
Banner Location
By Smokin Joes on Willow Avenue
JAMES W. BYRNES
A veteran of the U.S. Army. James served stateside during the time of WWII. He was with the Military Police and attained the rank of PFC. After his time in the service, James worked as an electrician. At this writing, he still resides in Honesdale.
Banner Location
Corner of Young St and Willow Avenue
CHAD P. CALABRO
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. Chad served during Operation Desert Storm. He was an Operations Specialist and attained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. His duty stations included Yokosuka, Japan, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Chad was born and raised in Wayne County. After completing his military service he worked as a Pest Control Technician.
Banner Location
1731 Main St
CARBONE-FLYNN
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