Iraq war veteran and former local resident Stephen Valyou was honored Saturday at the fifth annual Sunday in the Country Chicken Barbecue Cook-Off at American Legion Post 178 on East Main Street.
Valyou was an EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) sergeant in Iraq when, in March, he was shot in the shoulder during Improvised Explosive Device (IED) operations. He has been since confined to a wheelchair due to the injuries from the incident.
Last weekend, 43 volunteers constructed a wheelchair ramp at Valyou’s in-law’s house, the home of Rebecca and Don Totman. Valyou is visiting the Totmans with his wife and son. The family will then return to Florida, where he's been recuperating. There's been talk of the Valyous moving back to Millerton on a permanent basis.
Event organizer NASCAR Dave MacMillan said the material for the ramp was donated by Herrington’s in Millerton.
"We wanted to find a way to thank him for the service he put in for his country," MacMillan said. "The Lion’s Club and the fire department also put flags all along Main Street to welcome him home like he should be welcomed home."
Valyou served as a guest judge during Saturday’s event and was given a total donation of $4,800 raised by students from Salisbury School for an electronic chair lift to be constructed at the Totman’s home.
School employee Gina Tierney said the school’s students raised the money.
"The kids thought what he did for the country was important so we decided to go with this," Tierney said. "The kids collected $2,018 and the rest was from an anonymous donation."
State Sen. Vincent Leibell was at Saturday’s event to personally welcome Valyou home.
"I think that it’s great the community is all here to honor a veteran and a hometown hero," Leibell said. "I hope he gets better real soon because he served his country with honor and distinction."
Valyou said he deeply appreciated the community’s support.
"This is amazing, absolutely amazing," Valyou said. "I didn’t anticipate this. I originally thought I would have a quick visit with my family and go back to Florida. It’s amazing how they constructed a ramp in such a short period of time."
Valyou was a soldier with the U.S. Army, stationed out of Fort Drum in Watertown. He was sent to Iraq in November.
By SHAW ISRAEL IZIKSONOctober, 11, 2007 This short article was reprinted from the Millerton News.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a full list of local area men and women currently serving in the Military so that we can send them out holiday cards and remembrances from home. If you know of any names and addresses, please post here. There is still time before Christmas to send packages to war zones and to The Guard serving in disaster areas here at home.
Valyou was an EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) sergeant in Iraq when, in March, he was shot in the shoulder during Improvised Explosive Device (IED) operations. He has been since confined to a wheelchair due to the injuries from the incident.
Last weekend, 43 volunteers constructed a wheelchair ramp at Valyou’s in-law’s house, the home of Rebecca and Don Totman. Valyou is visiting the Totmans with his wife and son. The family will then return to Florida, where he's been recuperating. There's been talk of the Valyous moving back to Millerton on a permanent basis.
Event organizer NASCAR Dave MacMillan said the material for the ramp was donated by Herrington’s in Millerton.
"We wanted to find a way to thank him for the service he put in for his country," MacMillan said. "The Lion’s Club and the fire department also put flags all along Main Street to welcome him home like he should be welcomed home."
Valyou served as a guest judge during Saturday’s event and was given a total donation of $4,800 raised by students from Salisbury School for an electronic chair lift to be constructed at the Totman’s home.
School employee Gina Tierney said the school’s students raised the money.
"The kids thought what he did for the country was important so we decided to go with this," Tierney said. "The kids collected $2,018 and the rest was from an anonymous donation."
State Sen. Vincent Leibell was at Saturday’s event to personally welcome Valyou home.
"I think that it’s great the community is all here to honor a veteran and a hometown hero," Leibell said. "I hope he gets better real soon because he served his country with honor and distinction."
Valyou said he deeply appreciated the community’s support.
"This is amazing, absolutely amazing," Valyou said. "I didn’t anticipate this. I originally thought I would have a quick visit with my family and go back to Florida. It’s amazing how they constructed a ramp in such a short period of time."
Valyou was a soldier with the U.S. Army, stationed out of Fort Drum in Watertown. He was sent to Iraq in November.
By SHAW ISRAEL IZIKSONOctober, 11, 2007 This short article was reprinted from the Millerton News.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a full list of local area men and women currently serving in the Military so that we can send them out holiday cards and remembrances from home. If you know of any names and addresses, please post here. There is still time before Christmas to send packages to war zones and to The Guard serving in disaster areas here at home.
