Mike Ruzzi

1 month 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.

2 months ago | erienewsnow.com | Mike Ruzzi

Family and community have a special meaning for one Crawford County veteran. Jason Saeger is a graduate of Cochranton High School. He graduated in 1998. Saeger was in the U.S. Army from 1996-2004. He was still a high school student when he signed up to join the military. In 2003 he was serving in Iraq, he provided transportation needs. His military heroes are the men and women who came before him.

Feb 6, 2025 | erienewsnow.com | Mike Ruzzi

Shortly after graduating from Linesville High School, Russell McKinsey started his tour of duty in the U.S. Army. His first three years of service had some unexpected turns. After serving 13 months in Korea, Russell wanted his next assignment to take place in Germany. "He says, 'Yeah, you and everybody else, Son, there's only one place you can go to from here.' and I said, 'Well, put me down," said McKinsey.