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Zeno Foley is 2012 Veteran of the Year
YOUNGSTOWN
Zeno Foley of Austintown and Beverly A. Pariza of Boardman, recognized for their contributions to veterans, are the United Veterans Council of Greater Youngstown’s 2012 Veteran of the Year and Citizen of the Year, respectively.
The awards were presented, and 2013 officers elected, at the United Veterans Council’s (UVC) 72nd Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet. Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony Trafficanti presented proclamations to Foley and Pariza on behalf of Mahoning County. Local businessman, author and part-time talk radio host, Bill Johnson, was the guest speaker.
The 2013 officers elected are: Roderick Hosler, commander; Janette C. Brown, senior vice commander; Barry Landgraver, junior vice commander and adjutant; Edward Savel, treasurer; Vincent Bellanca, chaplain; and Bruce Kirkland, sergeant-at-arms.
The Veteran of the Year for 2012 is Zeno Foley and Citizen of the Year for 2012 is Beverly A. Pariza.
Foley, the Veteran of the Year, attended school in Salem, Ore., and Boy’s Town in Omaha, Neb. He enlisted for two tours in the Army: The first, when he was 18, from April 1950 to April 1953, during which he served for a short time as a combat medic with the 45th Infantry Division in Korea; and then again from August 1954 to the spring of 1957 when he got an early-out to attend Youngstown State University to study computer science.
He worked as a programmer for Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Worthington Industries in Salem. After retiring, he was a volunteer driver for the Youngstown Veterans Affairs (VA) Outpatient Clinic.
Foley, who is married to the former Patricia A. Corey, is commander of the Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 137, and is a member of its Honor Guard. He established a Gifts for Vets program under which he delivered gifts to veterans at a different nursing home each month.
His decorations include the Korea Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Japan Occupation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
“It is an honor to receive the Veteran of the Year Award. It makes you aware of the people who appreciate the service you do for them,” he said.
Pariza, Citizen of the Year, has volunteered for numerous community and veterans organizations and projects over the past 20 years, including volunteering for more than 6,500 hours at St. Elizabeth Health Center since 2008.
A member of the Korean War Veterans Association, Chapter 137 Auxiliary, she and groups she is a member of have knitted more than 300 blankets for wheelchair-bound veterans and distributed them to the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Wade Park Campus, and the Youngstown VA and Butler, Pa., VA outpatient clinics.
In 2012, Pariza was recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) because of her work through the RSVP Lead with Experience Program that supports people over 55. The PVSA recognizes citizens and lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States who have achieved the required number of hours of service over a 12-month time period – or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime.
A nationwide volunteer program sponsored by HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley, RSVP promotes persons using their life experience and skills to help people in need in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
“Beverly primarily provides services to veterans,” said Maureen Drummond, head of Hands On.
Pariza and her husband, John, live in Boardman.