Veteran of the year, Carl Hesidenz, humbled by award
BUTLER TWP — Although he had enlisted as a combat engineer in the Marine Corps Reserve during the height of the Vietnam War, Carl “Skip” Hesidenz said he was a little shaken up Thursday, Nov. 9, as he delivered a speech about his own service.
Hesidenz served in Laos for about six weeks with the 3rd Marine Division, 7th Engineers during his 17 months of service overseas.
Hesidenz is Butler County’s Veteran of the Year, an award given for 45 years now to a local veteran who has made humanitarian contributions to their communities while assisting area veterans. During the ceremony Thursday at American Legion Post 778, Hesidenz said he has many people to thank for being able to stay active with local veterans.
In his speech, Hesidenz credited his Uncle Chad with inspiring him to join the military.
“When I just was a little fellow, my mom and dad would take me to the parade, and I would see this float come by with a Marine on it,” Hesidenz said. “He looked to be about 7, 8 feet tall, shoulders three axles across … Years later I tried that uniform on, and popped off all the buttons.”
Shawnee Young, director of Butler County Veterans Services, said the Veteran of the Year is selected by a committee made up of other veterans, who choose from a list of nominations that come in throughout the year. She said this is the first year the county office worked with state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, who previously hosted a separate ceremony recognizing veterans around Veterans Day.
“We decided let’s have veterans celebrate veterans and do them both together,” Young said. “We started in 1979 and honored a veteran every year.”
The American Legion hall was filled with military personnel and veterans, along with public officials and other people who gathered in honor of Veterans Day. In addition to hearing from Hesidenz, the organizers of the luncheon honored all 44 of the past award recipients by reciting their names and cheering for them if they were present, and ringing a bell for them if they had died.
John Cyprian, commander of the Legion’s 26th District, emceed the ceremony. A keynote speech was given by retired USMC Maj. Gen. Peter Talleri.
Cyprian introduced Hesidenz, saying he continues to serve veterans by volunteering with the Butler County VA Medical Center and the Marine Corps League Bantam Detachment’s Toys for Tots program. He also assists with Wreaths Across America and yearly picnics and dinners with the St. Wendelin Catholic Parish, and also the monthly bingo games at Armco Retiree Union.
Surrounded by friends, family and “comrades,” Hesidenz said he is just as happy to work with and for veterans in the area as he was to work alongside Marines in the 1960s with the Marine Corps.
“I was proud to serve, and now proud to serve here,” Hesidenz said. “Often these people back home just didn’t know or understand what military personnel went through in their own personal lives.”
