WALDEN – The greater Walden community turned out Saturday to honor “a pillar of the community” – John Ciardullo, a veteran of the Korean War.
He served as an Army corporal in combat “and then spent decades serving his community and supporting his family when he returned home,” said State Senator William Larkin, himself an Army veteran,
Ciardullo, 83, who is regarded as a hero by his community for, not only his efforts as a combat infantryman in the Battles of Pork Chop Hill, where he spent four months fighting from 1952-1953 but, for his dedication to his community, holding a number of positions ranging from the president of Walden Little League to the director of the Knights of Columbus.
Until Saturday, Ciardullo was part of a population of veterans from different wars who were never officially presented with the medals they had rightfully earned.
Ciardullo’s children, Michael Ciardullo and Kathy Hewitt, discovered he had unpresented awards when they contacting the VA to inquire about benefits. Shortly thereafter they received a call from Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney’s (D, NY18) office informing them that their father’s medals of National Defense Service, Korean Service with Bronze Service Stars, and United Nations Service, along with a Combat Infantry Badge, were ready to be presented to him.
Sen. Larkin, who also served in Korea, congratulates Ciardullo
Rep. Maloney, pins Ciardullo’s medals
At Saturday’s ceremony, Maloney said Ciardullo exemplifies all that is good about America.
“With all the troubles, with all the problems we have, with all the challenges we have, there’s nothing that can’t be fixed by what’s right with men like John Ciardullo and we should remember that,” Maloney said.
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus, a member of the Naval Reserves, shared a similar message about Ciardullo’s heroism and how those like him have made the U.S. the country it is.
“You rarely hear about the good things that this country still has,” said Neuhaus. “This is still the best country in the world. This is still the place that people fight for to come here, every day. Ask anybody in Europe right now, ask anybody in the Middle East: this is still the beacon of hope and freedom and it’s only for one reason. It’s for men like John and the rest of the armed forces that have fought for that freedom and it’s still being fought for today,” he said.
Senator Larkin addressed Ciardullo directly and with passion. “Medals alone will not thank you for what you did for our country,” said Larkin. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I salute you.”
Many other officials and well over 100 friends, family and friends took time to give their thanks to Ciardullo, whose wife of 59 years, Clare, said she was amazed at the number of people who attended the event.
“It’s amazing so many people are here; I can’t believe it,” Clare said. “When I walked in I started to cry just to see all these people honoring him.”
Ciardullo, who now has trouble speaking or gathering thoughts due to a medical condition, could not comment, but Clare said she is sure he was overwhelmed with joy and will most likely process it all, on his own, at a later time.
