City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. last night honored five New Yorkers at his fifth annual Veterans Recognition ceremony at City Hall. The event was co-sponsored with the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum and the American Legion of the State of New York.

“We pay tribute to the brave men and women of our armed forces, those who served in the past and those who are serving now,” Thompson said. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the men and women who are serving abroad, who risk their lives every day and endure long absences from their families. We owe them more than words; we owe them respect, honor and the support they need to come home safe and soon.”

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. with honorees and co-sponsors at his Veterans’ Recognition celebration at City Hall on Monday, November 20, 2006. Photo: Marla S. Maritzer

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Thompson, who has been conducting a food and supply drive to aid troops stationed abroad, said the night’s ceremony pays tribute to those who have been lost.

“Our prayers are with the families of those who answered the call to serve their country, and who made the ultimate sacrifice defending the cause of freedom,” he said. “Their hard work, their courage, and their bravery will never be forgotten.”

The first honoree was Paul Battaglia, who served in the 5th Infantry Division in World War II. A lifelong resident of Carroll Gardens, Battaglia enlisted in 1942, and served in England, Germany, Austria, France and Czechoslovakia, and was on the front lines just outside of Prague on V-Day.

“Paul Battaglia served our nation with outstanding commitment,” Thompson said.

Comptroller Thompson presented the second award to veteran and community leader Laura L. Dore, who is a member of the 369th Veterans Association and the New York United Sabbath Day Adventist Church of Manhattan. 

Born in New York City, Ms. Dore attended Lincoln School for Nurses and then went on to study at New York University.  After completing her studies there, she entered the Air Force, and was assigned to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where she spent two years on active duty.  After her service was completed, Ms. Dore joined the Air Force Reserves and rose to the rank of Major.

“Upon retiring from the Reserves after 20 years, she began teaching as a health educator in the Nassau County Public School System.  She also served as an in-service educator at several hospitals,” Thompson said. “Now retired, she remains active in local senior centers, providing health education services on a volunteer basis.”

The next honoree is veteran and community leader Oscar Escano, who enlisted in the Army at age 18, completed Infantry training at Fort Benning, and completed Airborne School and the Ranger Indoctrination Program before his assignment to the 1st Ranger Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. 

Specialist Escano later graduated from the 62-day U.S. Army Ranger Course and returned to his unit to complete his training as a squad medic and qualify for his Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate license.

“In December of 1999, Specialist Escano was deployed as an Army Ranger to Afghanistan and attached to Task Force-11, a combined joint special operations task force based in Bagram,” Thompson said. “For his actions during combat operations in support of Operation Anaconda, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor.”

Escano participated in Operation Enduring Freedom shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.  Since returning to civilian life, he has been a full-time student at Columbia University, where he co-founded and has served as President Emeritus of the U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University, an organization of student-veterans at Columbia.

The next honoree was Thomas Muhfeld, who works as Veteran Services Director for New Era Veterans, which provides housing and services to veterans. The organization serves 150 men and women directly at its facilities, and is involved in numerous initiatives to raise public awareness about the problem of homelessness among veterans. 

“Under Mr. Muhfeld’s leadership, the organization also raises much-needed funding to allow the purchase of mattresses, furniture, clothing, and other goods for veterans in need,” Thompson said. “Thomas Muhfeld has worked tirelessly on behalf of the men and women of the military, and has contributed greatly to the quality of life in our city.”

The final honoree was Rudy Thomas, Sr. Born in Trinidad, Thomas immigrated to the United States at the age of 16 and was drafted into the Army in 1965. After completing his basic and advanced training, he was assigned to the A 1/508 82nd Airborne Division, where he held the rank of Staff Sergeant. After two years, he was sent to Vietnam.

While serving with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Thomas was wounded on three different missions.  For his service, he received three Purple Hearts. 

“Mr. Thomas currently is working as a Veteran Outreach Specialist for the New York State Department of Labor, where he helps veterans obtain the services they need to make a successful transition back to civilian life,” Thompson said.  “Rudy Thomas, Sr. has served this country with distinction, and demonstrated extraordinary commitment to meeting the needs of New York City veterans.”

Sergeant Louis Licalzi, who is serving at the 344th Combat Support Hospital at Fort Hamilton Army Base, sang at the ceremony.