The Bronx Chronicle Veteran of the Week

Private First Class Peter E. Joseph

Award: Veterans’ Hall of Fame

Year: 2008

United States Army, 87th Ordinance Battalion, 16th Ordinance Company

A Great State is only as great as those Individuals who perform exemplary service on behalf of their community, and it is the custom of this Great State to pay tribute to that outstanding service; and 

Peter Ethrain Joseph was born at St Joseph’s Hospital in Yonkers, New York on March 20, 1931, attended St. Mary’s Grammar School and after his graduation from Saunders High School enrolled for one year at Westchester Community College prior to his military service; and 

Peter Ethrain Joseph was drafted into the United States Army on March 10, 1952 and throughout his military service had the support of his very proud parents, who were immigrants from the Middle East, and Mr. Joseph completed basic training, leadership school and electronics training before being sent to Okinawa , where he was stationed with the 87^th Ordinance Battalion, 16th Ordinance Company,  and used his talents repairing anti-aircraft equipment including 90 and 120 millimeter anti-aircraft guns destined for duty in the  Korean conflict; and 

Peter Ethrain Joseph was one of five specialists working specifically on anti-aircraft equipment during his tour and was promoted to Private First Class and after returning to California, toured the United States of America by train on his way to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, where he was honorably discharged on February 17, 1954; and 

InMay of 1958 Peter  Ethrain Joseph married Bernice Dawn, also of Yonkers, New York and they are the proud parents  of two children, Michael and Nancy , and, it should be noted, that Peter and Bernice Joseph have just celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on May 3, 2008; and  

Peter E. Joseph chairs the Annual Oratorical Competition of the Yonkers Memorial Day Committee which he has done for the last 25 years ,and he has been a Department of New York State Vice Commander for the Catholic War Veterans, past Chairman of the Yonkers Central Committee of Veterans Organizations, and served on the Memorial Day committee for many years, as well as serving as Post Commander of the American Legion of the Bajart Post, board member of the “Color It Proud” program, Chairman of the Americanism Award Committee, member of the Executive Committee of the Bajart Post, and a member of the Executive Board of the Westchester American Legion; now therefore be it 

That I, State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, recognize the significant contributions and accomplishments of Peter Ethrain Joseph and join with the residents of the 35^th District and all of New York State to recognize Peter Ethrain Joseph for his contributions to New York State and the United States of America; and be it further 

that I, State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, do hereby join with the residents of New York State and proclaim this day, Sunday, June 29, 2008 as Peter Ethrain Joseph Day throughout New York’s 35^th State Senate District.