State honors Specchio with Hall of Fame

WATKINS GLEN—Anthony J. “Tony” Specchio, Sr. was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame Tuesday, May 20. Specchio is a lifelong Watkins Glen resident and a fixture in civic and veterans affairs. State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C—Corning) inducted Specchio into the hall in Albany Tuesday.
Specchio will represent O’Mara’s 58th Senate District and be among approximately 60 distinguished veterans statewide joining the hall this year. Inductees are chosen annually by state senators from within their respective legislative districts.
“Tony Specchio’s nomination for this honor said it best, that he’s a ‘living symbol of patriotism and honor’ for local veterans,” said O’Mara. “I’m proud to have this opportunity to pay tribute to Tony’s love of country, community, family and service. It’s a well-earned and well-deserved honor for someone who has given a lifetime of commitment and service to our nation, our state and the community of Watkins Glen.”
Specchio was nominated for the Veterans Hall of Fame by Brian J. O’Donnell, former president of the Watkins Glen school board.
“Tony is a real credit to his family, his church, his community and his country,” O’Donnell said. “A gentleman who always puts others first, Tony is a true American patriot and I’m proud to call him my friend.”
A distinguished Korean War veteran, Specchio was drafted into the United States Army in 1953. His training included a stint at Camp Desert Rock in Nevada where he witnessed the detonation of an atomic bomb from a distance of less than 10,000 feet, thereby earning him the rare distinction of being called an “Atomic Veteran.” In 1954 he served in Korea on the combat line at the 38th Parallel as a tank driver/commander with the rank of Corporal (Acting Sergeant).
Following his discharge from the Army in 1954, Specchio returned to Watkins Glen, where he and his wife, Annabelle, raised seven children. He has served in local government and remained an active, admired and widely respected member of the community—in particular for his dedication and devotion to veterans affairs.
Over the past six decades, he has especially become known as the driving force behind the annual Veterans’ Day, Memorial Day and Flag Day observances in Watkins Glen, and has remained active in numerous organizations include BPOE Elks Lodge No. 1546, American Legion Post 555, the Watkins Glen Fire Department, the Watkins Glen Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), AMVETS, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).  For over 20 years, he has also been the Veterans Service Representative at the VA Hospital in Bath. He also remains active as a member of  St. Mary’s of the Lake Church, where he has served as an usher for nearly 50 years.
Active in local government, Specchio has served as town of Reading supervisor, as a member of the Schuyler County Legislature and, since 1978, on the Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District board of directors where he has been the chairman since 1986. In 1995, he retired as superintendent of public works for the village of Watkins Glen.
The senate established its online Veterans Hall of Fame in 2005 and, including this year, approximately 300 veterans have been inducted. It is designed to honor New York veterans whose service in the United States Armed Forces is accompanied by service to the community and accomplishments as a civilian, and includes veterans representing senate districts from throughout New York State. It can be viewed through a link on the home page of O’Mara’s Senate website, www.omara.nysenate.gov.