James McMullen named vet of the year
BUTLER TWP — When honored, this year’s Butler County Veteran of the Year James McMullen did not focus on his time spent traveling with President Lyndon B. Johnson or what it was like maintaining top-secret White House access security clearance.
Instead, he told the story of how he met his wife, Martha, when attending a New Year’s Eve dance at a Tioga County fire hall in 1965 while he was on leave.
“I’ve attended quite a few of these events. The one thing I notice is that up here, the person receiving the award always had a person in the background, someone close to them, who helped them attain that award,” McMullen said. “I’ve found that I’m no different in that.”
At the Butler County Veteran of the Year luncheon Thursday, Nov. 6, hosted by the Butler County Veterans Committee and state Rep. Marci Mustello’s office, crowds of veterans and their friends and families gathered to celebrate one another and their lives spent serving and volunteering for others.
“I’ve known Jim for about five years now,” Dave Smith, 2020 veteran of the year, said. “He has the dedication and the loyalty and the commitment to serve this position honorably.”
McMullen served in the United States Marine Corps from 1964 to 1968 as an aircraft electrical system technician. He was assigned to Marine Helicopter Squadron One in Quantico, Va., which was tasked with providing the helicopters, including Marine One, for transporting the president and other world leaders.
After being honorably discharged in 1968 and returning home, he attended Corning Community College, where he earned a degree in electrical technology. He worked as a field service engineer and technical training instructor and for PennDOT as a transportation construction inspector.
Since his retirement, McMullen has been actively involved as a volunteer through the community, particularly with veterans. This has included helping plan events at the Butler VA; giving presentations to local elementary and high school students on American flag history, etiquette and protocol; and various events with Butler County Toys for Tots.
“I’m very proud and honored to be selected as veteran of the year for Butler County. It’s really an honor and a privilege to be part of the Butler County family of veterans too,” McMullen said.
At the luncheon Thursday afternoon, more than 100 people, including numerous elected officials, came together to honor past and present generations of those who have served our nation. McMullen himself comes from a proud military family, with relatives traced back to serving at the Lexington Alarm in 1775, as well as in World War II and Vietnam.
Veterans in attendance ranged from those who served within the past 10 to 15 years to two 101-year-old World War II veterans.
“It’s because of all of you that we enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that we too often take for granted,” Mayor Bob Dandoy said in his speech. “You’ve shown us what courage, sacrifice and duty really mean — not just as words, but as actions.”
The speakers at the luncheon lauded the support given to veterans in Butler County communities, boasting that Butler is the only county in Pennsylvania that recognizes a veteran of the year.
McMullen received various honors, recognitions and proclamations Thursday afternoon. In addition to Butler city and township, state Reps. Mustello, R-11th and Aaron Bernstine, R-8th; a representative for state Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12th; as well as state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, presented state proclamations honoring McMullen. U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, was also in attendance.
“I don’t think there’s any more of a heroic volunteer than those who sign up for our armed services,” Ed Natali, a Butler Township commissioner, said. “What I see when I look at this crowd and our wonderful veteran of the year, is that once you put that uniform on, it never comes off. You can see that in everyone here today.”
Local officials made it a point to honor veterans both past and present. County Commisioner Leslie Osche said her father served in the military, while Commissioner Kevin Boozel said his father-in-law served, as have his two sons.
“The one thing about veterans is that they never stop serving. Even when they come home, they are always finding a way to be innovative and dedicate their lives to enhancing the safety and the quality of life in our communities,” Commissioner Kim Geyer said.
When Hanna Bossinger sang the national anthem before the luncheon, veterans sang along, filling the room with a feeling of patriotism. Meanwhile, the room went completely silent when the organizers held a POW/MIA ceremony for those who didn’t make it home.
“This means a lot to any veteran. Because you knew people that died in Vietnam. Some of the older guys knew people who never came back from Korea, never came back from World War II,” LeRoy Bunyan, another former veteran of the year, said. “This is all just incredibly moving.”
And while McMullen was celebrated by his fellow veterans, he also knew that his mother, who wasn’t able to attend, would be able to see and hear about her son being honored by his community.
“She wanted to come really bad. However, she celebrated her 103rd birthday on Oct. 29, and she’s coming to the realization she doesn’t control her life as much as she wants to,” McMullen said. “She said, ‘I’ll just read all about it in the paper.’”
