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Sen. Greg Ball (R,C,I-Patterson), who serves as chair of the state Senate's Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, created the Veterans' Hall of Fame "to honor outstanding veterans from throughout the 40th Senate District," according to a news release from Ball's office. Ball recently accepted the nomination of Hvisch and will honor him and each veteran selected in a ceremony on Nov. 21 at Mahopac High School, according to the release.
“Mr. Hvisch is a prime example of the saying, ‘the few, the proud, the Marines,'" Ball said in the release. "He has dedicated his life to our County by serving in the United States Marines then after his military service he continued to dedicate himself to serving our community for twenty-two years in the Westchester County Department of Public Safety. I am very excited to join with Mount Kisco to honor Mr. Hvisch for his years of service to our Country and I greatly look forward to the Hall of Fame ceremony this November.”
Mount Kisco Mayor Michael Cindrich also commended Hvisch on the nomination, according to the release.
“Senator Greg Ball's Veterans' Hall of Fame initiative has provided our military veterans with the recognition and honor they deserve for serving this great Country,” Cindrich said in the release.
"In January of 1943 the United States of America was at war, John Hvisch was 17 years old and despite his parent’s objections, John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps," representatives said in the release. "He completed training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, continued his combat training at Camp Lejeune and was eventually assigned to a communication unit. Corporal Hvisch eventually joined the ranks of the 'Island Hopping Marines' and fought the enemy in the Mariana Island battles on Saipan and Tinian. In 1945, after the Mariana Island campaign, Corporal Hvisch fought in the largest amphibious landing in the Pacific, the 82 day-long battle of Okinawa. Sadly, during the war Corporal Hvisch lost many good friends and for a young Marine, those traumatic events, remain with him today."
Hvisch was awarded several citations for his service, including "campaign medals and battle stars for his bravery and service to this Country with the 2nd & 4th Marine Divisions, and the 10th Marines in the decisive World War II, Asiatic-Pacific battles," according to the release.
"Today John is a proud and active member of the Mount Kisco community," representatives said in the release. "You can find John on any given day at the Mount Kisco Seniors Center volunteering in a wide variety of activities such as teaching an exercise class, serving lunch, or helping out with special events."
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