Hall Of Local Heroes
The following website is dedicated to the brave men and women in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and surrounding communities who have given me the honor and privilege of sharing their stories from their time in the service. I hope you can join me in thanking them for their bravery and service. -Andrew E.
Dr. John Fisher
Dr. John K. Fisher served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He worked in a chemical warfare base in Maryland known as the Edgewood Arsenal. Before Dr. Fisher started his service, there were many impactful events he underwent during his childhood and adolescent years. When Dr. Fisher
Issy Caporale
Issy Caporale served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 25 years from 1983 to 2006 all on active duty. She would serve throughout many lifesaving missions, as well as traveling around the world and getting to experience new places while doing her duty in serving our country. Ms. Caporale
Captain Doug Carroll
Captain Doug Carroll served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, splitting his time between 14 years of active duty and 16 years in the reserves. He served in many different positions such as pilot, catapult officer, landing signal officer, and eventually in charge of making war plans for
Lieutenant Commander Tara Tosta
Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Tara Tosta served in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Flight Officer for 12 years, splitting her time between active duty for six years and the active reserves for another six years. She deployed in the early 2000’s and would serve in known conflicts like
Clarence Korker
Mr. Clarence Korker served in the United States Navy for eight years, completing three years on active duty and another five in the active reserves. He served from 1942 to the end of WWII in 1945. Starting from a young age, Mr. Korker had a love for the sea. He
Sergeant John Knoche
Mr. John Knoche served in the U.S. Army for two years, one on active duty in Vietnam. The ongoing threat of war in Vietnam caused one of the most extensive drafts in American history; between 1964 and 1972, an estimated 2.2 million young men committed to service. Mr.
Commander George Besse
I was presented with the honor of interviewing the commander of the American Legion of Ridgefield, Commander George Besse. CMDR Besse served in the United States Air Force (USAF) for four years in the medical field of the military as an X-ray technician. He began his service in 1962. With
Naval Reserve Commander Victor Tardino Jr.
Hope: an expectation of fulfillment or success.Naval Reserve Commander (CDR) Victor Tardino Jr. served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, splitting his time between active duty and the reserves. As a young man and the ongoing threat of the war in Vietnam, CDR Tardino decided to join
Staff Sergeant Chris Crispino
Honor: Regard with great respectStaff Sergeant Chris Crispino served in the U.S. Army for six years and completed four tours in Iraq on active duty. Mr. Crispino comes from a military family, with many family members having served in the military, including Mr. Crispino’s father fought in the
Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Larry Ross
Comradery: a feeling of friendliness, goodwill, and familiarity among the people in a group.My first interview for this project was with Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Larry Ross. Dr. Ross started his military career and served six years in the Army, two on active duty, and another four years in the