Local veteran honored during annual Veterans Day ceremony

PLATTSBURGH | The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 179 (DAV) held its annual lowering of the flags ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11. This year, unbeknownst to Marine Lance Corporal Gregory T. Lee, a ceremony was planned to honor Lee for his service and his dedication to helping the community and fellow veterans. "The man we're going to honor is Lance Corporal, Marine Lance Corporal Gregory T. Lee," said Tom Mullins of the Rev. Francis A. Kelly Society of Troy. Lee joined the Marine Corps. in May of 1968; he was deployed to Vietnam that same year in September. On May 8, 1969, Lee injured both his knees and his right arm in a mortar explosion. His right arm was amputated as a result. Lee did try to rejoin the service after his injury, saying that he could do as much with one arm as most people can do with two. Unfortunately, he wasn't allowed to rejoin due to having only one arm. Lee moved to the Peru area after his discharge. "A small personal note. I think I have a special understanding for you. My father was a Marine Corps. Corporal that served in Vietnam a couple years before you did. So God bless you. I know how tough Marines are and I know how patriotic they are," said Sen. Dan Stec. Upon his discharge, Lee worked at the Plattsburgh Air Force Base and eventually started helping with the North Country Honor Flight in 2013. Lee has helped organize 43 honor flights. Due to his dedication to the honor flight, Lee has received three New York State Medals: the New York State Medal for Merit, the New York State Conspicuous Service Star, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, the highest award given to veterans in New York State. Janet Duprey, who attended the ceremony on behalf of the Town of Peru, said "I can tell you that I don't know of anybody who has been more courageous, has done more for the military, for those of us in honor flight, and who admires you more than I do. Thank you for your service." Not only did Lee receive additional medals and citations during the ceremony, but he also received something extra special from Peru High School. "Greg, the tassel is on the right side of my cap. I'm going to now move it to the left side of my cap over my heart, signifying your unique journey to obtain your diploma from Peru High School," Matt Berry said. Lee left school as a teenager in order to get a job to help support his family. During the ceremony, Lee was awarded a New York State Assembly Citation from Assemblyman Billy Jones, a New York State Senate Liberty Award from Sen. Stec, a Congressional Citation from U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a proclamation from the Town of Peru, a proclamation from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Kelly Society Medal of Freedom Award. Lee was the fifth recipient of the Kelly Society Medal of Freedom award and the first person outside of the Capital District to receive it. Mullins stated, "So, I'm proud to say today that, Greg, you are the first person outside the Capital District to earn this award." U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand also wrote a congratulatory letter to Lee, which was read during the ceremony. ". . . and you deserve all the accolades that you are getting today," Past State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Michael Hoag stated. Assemblyman Jones said, "And I spoke earlier about what our veterans do for our communities and what they continue to do for veterans and their families and throughout our communities here in the North Country, and right here is a shining example of that, ladies and gentlemen." Lee concluded the ceremony with "I'd just like to thank everybody for coming out. This is just a huge honor. I can't say enough."

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Local veteran honored during annual Veterans Day ceremony

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