Mike Ruzzi

1 week ago | erienewsnow.com | Mike Ruzzi

Erie News Now continues to honor local veterans and their families in our long-running series entitled, Remembering Our Veterans. This week, our Mike Ruzzi tells the story of Bill Fisher, a U.S. Air Force Veteran. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Bill Fisher had a unique assignment, he was a dog handler. His dogs, Wolf and Rex, were life savers. Wolf has the dark coat. Bill is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and moved here to be closer to family.

2 weeks ago | erienewsnow.com | Mike Ruzzi

U.S. Navy veteran Dave Garren actually started his tour of duty before he completed his senior year at Tech Memorial High School in 1987. His incredible journey is the focus of this week's Remembering Our Veterans story. Garren went into the Navy Boot Camp in the Great Lakes between the summer of his junior and senior year. "As long as you graduated, you are allowed to return to the military on active duty," said Garren. He was just 16 years old. Garren ended up serving in the military for 28 years.

4 weeks ago | erienewsnow.com | Mike Ruzzi

A graduate of McDowell High School and Edinboro University is the focus of our weekly series, Remembering Our Veterans. Dr. Kraig Kiel is and accomplished author of short stories and fiction. He's also part of the PennWest Edinboro 2025 distinguished alumni class. This U.S. Air Force combat veteran, spent 23 years serving his country. His tour of duty took him across the globe and in many dangerous situations.

1 month ago | erienewsnow.com | Mike Ruzzi

"In adversity, there is opportunity," that is the focus of this week's Remembering Our Veterans story. Tom Balkovic, Vietnam Air Force veteran, has crafted over 125 model fighter aircraft and helicopters in honor of the men and women he served with. He was assigned to nuclear and conventional aircraft weapons at Lowry AFB in Denver, Colorado. Tom's greatest honor was serving his country. He was also inspired by his father, a WWII and Korea War vet.

1 month ago | erienewsnow.com | Mike Ruzzi

A Garland, Pa. family has been working several years to bring home the remains of their uncle, Glenn Hodak. In 1945, Hodak was serving as a B-29 bomber when he was shot down over Tokyo, Japan in March. When the United States bombed Tokyo two months later, Glenn and 61 other service members lost their lives in a prison fire. The Military requested DNA and the samples were sent to forensic teams. Late last year, a DNA match was confirmed, and his remains are headed back to Pennsylvania.