Published: January 01, 2009 11:29 pm      

Organization salutes those who aid servicemen

Veteran Community Initiatives has named John Hugya, a retired Marine colonel, as its 2008 veteran of the year.

Hugya, of Hollsopple, is chief of staff for U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, and is a VCI board member.

He was chosen for his work with veterans on the local, state and national levels, said Tom Caulfield, VCI’s president/director.

Bill Cover was selected as the board member of the year for 2008.

He is maintenance director at the Hiram G. Andrews Center, where the veterans organization has its offices at 727 Goucher St., Upper Yoder Township.

Caulfield described Cover as a can-do person.

“Whenever we go to him with a need, he gets it done,” Caulfield said.

Wessel & Co. and Conemaugh Valley Veterans were named organizations of the year for 2008. Both have headquarters in Johnstown.

Wessel & Co., 215 Main St., Johstown, was described by Caulfield as an exceptional pro-veteran company. Wessel has assisted VCI with numerous endeavors, among which have been fund raising and administrative matters, he said.

Bob Eyer, Wessel & Co. managing partner, accepted his company’s award.

Conemaugh Valley Veterans was honored as principal organizer of the Cambria County World War II Veterans Recognition Ceremony held in the spring.

The event, first of its kind locally, was held at Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown and was attended by nearly 900 WWII veterans from throughout the county.

Ed Wojnaroski, chairman of Conemaugh Valley Veterans, accepted his organization’s award.

Murtha served as keynote speaker for the awards event.

His speech emphasized the importance of education for returning veterans. Murtha also said it is extremely important that the troops continue to receive support from those at home.

Caulfield noted that BCL Manufacturing of Windber has donated $2,000 to the national Wounded Warrior Project on behalf of Jeremy Feldbusch, a Blairsville soldier who was blinded as the result of an injury he suffered in Iraq.

Ruth Ward was honored for being a 15-year employee of the Veterans Leadership Program/Veteran Community Initiatives.