John Cyprian, the master of ceremonies, congratulates Gary Neely, 2024 Veteran of the Year, during the Butler County Veteran of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Gary Neely stood in full uniform, looking upon the room filled with his fellow veterans, as they applauded and recognized him as Butler County’s Veteran of the Year.

The recognition, an annual collaboration between the Butler County Veterans Committee and the office of state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, has been awarded since 1979.

Several speakers at the Veteran of the Year Luncheon, held at American Legion Post 778, boasted about Butler County being the only county in Pennsylvania that recognizes a Veteran of the Year.

“It is truly amazing. I’ve been to a lot of other, similar affairs. I’ve spoken to a convention in Ohio. But walking in here just stunned me. I did not expect this at all,” Neely said. “Fortunately a lot of good friends here, and I made some new ones.”

Neely was a machine-gunner for the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam, serving two tours in Vietnam from 1967 to 68, and again from 1971 to 72 as a crew chief and door gunner.

Neely received three Purple Heart medals, according to his program biography. One was received after being wounded on Hill 689, and two after being wounded at the Battle of Khe Sanh. While being evacuated, his helicopter was hit by enemy fire, sustaining further injury. He also received seven Air Medals for combat missions flown.

When Neely returned home, he received a bachelor’s degree in geology from Slippery Rock University. He also served as a Chief Warrant Officer with the United States Naval reserves, where he trained Navy Seals candidates at Naval Base Coronado in California. Neely intended to serve again after being accepted into the Federal Air Marshal Service after Sept. 11, 2001, but passed the age limit of 40 just days before being set to report. He went on to continue working as a geologist, while assisting with Toys for Tots and Wreaths Across America.

“He definitely deserves it. He is someone that has made a lot of sacrifices. Everyone’s so proud of him, it’s amazing,” Neely’s granddaughter, Kirsten said.

Multiple speakers noted that this year, the official theme for this year’s Veterans Day, as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is “A Legacy of Loyalty and Service.”

“Of course, war and conflict continue, and so do the courage and sacrifice of American men and women who’ve defended our nation,” Shawnee Young, director of the Butler County Veterans Committee, said.

The veterans in attendance held a ceremony for prisoners of war and soldiers who are missing in action, with two former Veterans of the Year, LeRoy Bunyan and Al Worsley, setting a singular table, to represent a seat in the legion hall for those who didn’t make it home.

“Those who have served, and are currently serving in the uniformed service of the United States, are ever mindful of the sweetness and enduring peace that has always been taken by the bitterness of personal survival,” Bunyan said.

Neely shared a lighthearted story about being in a monsoon in Vietnam in 1976, when he was taken by a resupply helicopter to a tent where officers had him, as the oldest member of his battalion, help cut a cake, a tradition on the Marine Corps’ birthday. He was given cake and a beer, taken right back to his troops, and when asked what that was about, responded “you don’t wanna know.”

Neely also recognized several other former veterans of the year, including Sam Zurzolo and Skip Fernandez. He has known Zurzolo since they were children, crediting Zurzolo for convincing him to join the Marines at age 17. He talked about one of his good friends from his time in service, Dave Brown. Brown was killed in heavy combat, and Neely recently attended a statue unveiling of Brown in Tennessee.

“I’ve been very lucky. I’ve lived a good life. God has been very kind and very good to me,” Neely said, who added his time in the service was the best job he ever had.

Several local politicians were in attendance for the ceremony. Mustello; state Rep. Aaron Bernstein, R-10th; and state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, presented official certificates of recognition and congratulations to Neely on behalf of the state Senate and state House of Representatives. Butler County Commissioners Leslie Osche, Kim Geyer and Kevin Boozel also made a presentation.

“Our country has been blessed, generation after generation, with folks who stepped forward, and defended everything we believe in,” Hutchinson said. “In addition to that, you and your fellow Veterans of the Year have come home and continued to serve this country, to serve your fellow citizens.”

While everyone was there to honor Neely, they were also there to honor their own community, as fellow veterans who share in common their service in the military. As a group who understand’s each other’s triumphs and struggles, speakers expressed gratitude for being surrounded by veterans. Zurzolo, who seemed to know everybody in the room, called the veterans “his family,” and urged them to take care of themselves.

“We’ve got a great VA here, that a lot of people don’t want to use because they’re too proud. We’ve got the director here, they got an open-door policy, if you need anything, don’t be shy. You might think you’re OK, but a lot of people out there are not OK and they need help. If you’re having any problems, go to the VA, they’ll take care of you. I mean that sincerely,” Zurzolo said.

Bob Dandoy, the mayor of Butler, likened the community gathering’s strength, unity and response to honoring one of its own to a “Wizard of Oz” quote: “If you ever go looking for your heart’s desire, don’t look any farther than your backyard.”

“I use that quote when I’m talking about this area, this community we live in, this county, what a wonderful place it is right in our own backyard. I thought about that quote also in the context of all of you, and of Gary,” Dandoy said. “Our society looks for heroes all the time. Sometimes we look at sports figures, musicians, movie stars — and right in our own backyard, sitting next to us on a bus, working next to us with charities, sitting next to us in a pew at church, are the real heroes.”

According to his bio, Neely always lived by his motto: “Be honest and always true to your world.” As humble as he remained, and as surprised as he was to receive this honor, everyone else knew he deserved it.

“I think that it’s wonderful that we’re able to do this, that we’re able to recognize a Veteran of the Year,” Mustello, who said she has known Neely for many years, told the Butler Eagle. “Gary especially, you see everything that he did, serving in Vietnam. It’s only just and right to really recognize him as the Veteran of the Year. I’m very happy for him.”

Gary Neely, right, is honored by Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy during the Butler County Veteran of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Dennis Bogan, right, a 100-year-old WWII military veteran, takes a moment to talk with Gary Neely, the 2024 Veteran of the Year during the Butler County Veteran of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Dennis Bogan, right, a 100-year-old WWII military veteran, stands out of his wheelchair to embrace and congratulate Gary Neely, the 2024 Veteran of the Year during the Butler County Veteran of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Leslie Osche, Butler County Commissioners chairwoman, and others stand during the Pledge of Allegiance at the Butler County Veteran of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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LeRoy Bunyan, left, and Allen McClymonds take part in a recognition ceremony of previous Veteran of the Year recipients during the Butler County Veteran of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Al Worsley honors prisoners of war and those missing in action during a ceremony for the Butler County Veteran of the Year on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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National Little Miss Military Star Nyomin Dimit hands thank you cards to attendees of the Butler County Veteran of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Gary Neely tells a story of a fellow officer who didn’t wear shoes during his acceptance speech for the 2024 Veteran of the Year during the luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Richard Ash is greeted by the American Legion Riders Chapter 778 and 117 at the Butler County Veteran of the Year Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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