On Veterans’ Day, local officials joined Sen. Fred Akshar at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton to induct Sgt. Eric Fetterman, of Chenago Forks, into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame Class of 2020. Each year, the New York State Senate honors veterans who have distinguished themselves in the military and community service.
Sgt. Fetterman enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1987, serving as a Light Armored Vehicle Crewman during Operation Desert Storm. Fetterman also cross-trained as a Mortarman and was the Vehicle Commander of Mortar Variant #023 in Camp Pendleton.
Fetterman served on the USS Comstock in 1991 in the Pacific Ocean. En route to Hong Kong, he was re-routed to the Philippines during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo to aid with relief efforts for Operation Fiery Vigil.
Six months after being honorably discharged, he returned to the Marine Corps Reserves in Buffalo in 1992, eventually exiting the Marine Corps as a Sergeant.
As a civilian, Fetterman joined the Marine Corps League. During his time with the League, Fetterman has earned the Distinguished Citizen Bronze, Marine Of The Year, Distinguished Service Bronze, and the Meritorious Individual Commendation Ribbon.
In 2019, Fetterman organized a benefit for former Marine Corps League Commandant Eric Bellamy, a local veteran battling pancreatic cancer. In one day, the benefit raised $24,000. That same year, Fetterman organized the first Chenango Bridge Community BBQ Rib Cook Off, raising $1,500 for the Chenango Bridge Fire Department.
Sgt. Fetterman also led the Marine Corps League’s efforts to restart Toys for Tots, which has distributed 2,400 toys to 1,200 children in the area and raised $15,000 for next year’s efforts.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fetterman led the League’s efforts to assist CHOW with hundreds of meals in Johnson City for families and students in lockdown.
“While his active duty service to our country has long since ended, Sgt. Eric Fetterman has devoted his time and attention here in our community to serving others and advocating on behalf of his fellow veterans,” said Akshar.Â
