Medal of Honor recipient SSgt David G. Bellavia was the principal speaker at a Veterans Recognition Service at the Erie County Fair on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. Bellavia’s awards and decorations are very distinguished and numerous, culminating in 2019 with being awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on Nov. 10, 2004, in Fallujah during Operation Iraqi Phantom Fury for conspicuous gallantry and heroic actions at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty.

The ceremony at the fair included a talk from World War II veteran Dr. John B. Long and the Oath of Enlistment of 24 new recruits to the various branches of our US military conducted by CDR Cory Flament of Buffalo, N.Y., MEPS.

The MC was PDVC NY James Bojanowski. who gave the recognition salute to David Bellavia in the above picture.