[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 174 (Friday, October 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING LTC(RET) NICHOLAS M. LAIACONA ON RECEIVING THE 2018 
                       VETERAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 26, 2018

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate LTC(Ret) 
Nicholas Laiacona on receiving the 2018 Veteran of the Year Award.
  Each year, the Friends of the NYS Military Museum and the Capitol 
District of NY Chapter, Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) recognize 
an outstanding veteran from the local community. This year's awardee, 
LTC Laiacona, has made distinguished contributions to his country as a 
soldier and to his community as a veteran.
  After entering the Army in 1966, LTC Laiacona served in the Mekong 
Delta region of Vietnam as a Platoon Leader and Company Commander in 
the Mobile Riverine Force of the 9th Infantry Division. He would later 
fulfill a number of assignments as a member of the Army's Ordnance 
Corps, and was selected as one of the first officers in the Army 
Acquisition Corps in 1985. By the end of his 24 years of service, LTC 
Laiacona had received numerous awards and decorations, among them the 
Purple Heart and Vietnam Service Medal with 4 stars.
  LTC Laiacona's service to his country did not end with his retirement 
from the Army in 1991. His expertise has supported the work of the U.S. 
Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, and he 
remains actively involved in several Veterans organizations, including 
the AUSA, where he formerly served as President of the Capital District 
Chapter and currently serves on its Executive Committee.
  On behalf of New York's 21st District, I want to congratulate 
LTC(Ret) Nicholas Laiacona on his well-deserved award of 2018 Veteran 
of the Year. We are thankful for his service and dedication to both his 
country and community.

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