Dr. Charles Martoni Veterans Service Awardees
2023
Harry J. Van Riper
Vietnam War Veteran
Veteran Harry J. Van Riper served in the United States Army with the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War. The then-Corporal was in combat for four months and eight days when his truck was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade on August 19, 1968. He lost his left arm, a portion of his leg, and still has shrapnel in his body. The doctors gave him less than a 15% chance of survival. His injury occurred during the 1968 2nd Tet Offensive. His unit ended the Tet Offensive, earning the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest award for a combat unit.
Upon his return home from Vietnam, Harry used his G.I. bill to attend and graduate from Duquesne University. Although he had offers to go to medical school, Harry chose his true passion of teaching. For over 30 years, he taught both math and science at the Community College of Allegheny County.
While his contributions in the military were significant, it is his dedication to his fellow veterans and the American Legion, a veterans' service organization, that resulted in this nomination. For years, Harry has volunteered at the local Veterans Administration hospital, educating and counseling veterans there. He has also been an active and engaged member of American Legion Post 548, currently serving as its chaplain. He was the Pennsylvania American Legion Chaplain of the Year in 2018. He has been honored by the Steelers in their "Salute to HEROES."
Harry is also a member of Serving Our Sentinels, a service organization working to help veterans who have fallen on hard times. He has served on the organization's team for over 10 years as a board member and financial manager. Douglas Miller, President of the organization, said that when Harry returned from Vietnam, gravely injured, there was no homecoming. Despite the physical and mental devastation, Harry remains proud of his country and of his service to it.
If that work is not enough, Harry has also volunteered for a Veterans Administration feasibility study for a "smart" limb. Working with the Utah Veterans Administration and Utah Children's Hospital, he will have a robotic prosthetic limb attached to the bone, making it a permanent part of the body and nervous system. Inside the implant is a sensor that will transmit signals from the brain to the prosthesis allowing Harry to use his hand intuitively. While Harry has said that he lives perfectly well without his arm, he's intrigued by the science behind the technology and is excited about what this may mean for children and others without limbs.
Richard S. Weber, a former Army officer and fellow Vietnam Veteran, nominated Harry for the award. In his recommendation, he wrote: "When I first met Harry, he told me, 'Losing my arm was the best thing that ever happened to me.' Harry is and will continue to be every veteran's inspiration."
Fitzgerald Awards 2023 Dr. Charles J. Martoni Veterans Service Award 11-02-23(PDF, 155KB)
2022
Mr. Nathan Mallory
Facilities Manager, Veterans Leadership Program
Nathan enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2000 and served his country in numerous positions for six years including Security Forces Team Leader, Combat Arms Competition Team Leader, and Boy Scout Troop Leader. He separated from the service after six years, honorably. He quickly adapted to his new life outside of the military and made it his personal mission to help people in less fortunate situations.
Nathan Mallory is the Facilities Manager at Veterans Leadership Program where he is responsible for safe and secure supportive housing for veterans in our region. He manages 77 properties for veterans experiencing homelessness that span across 30 counties. Not just a manager, Nate is well known for his passion to help those in need, connecting them with services and resources so that they can improve their lives.
Nate has served as a Platoon Leader for the Mission Continues, a program that seeks to improve educational resources, tackle food insecurities, and foster neighborhood identity throughout the nation. He has led the charge on 10 community parks and playgrounds, four national service deployments, and 90 days of individual service days. He has dedicated more than 200 total days of volunteer service to individuals in need.
Nate has also fostered a relationship between the Steel City Softball League (SCSL) and the veteran community. SCSL is the area's longest running LGBTQ+ sports organization focused on providing supporters a place to play sports without fear of discrimination. Since the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell," there has been a dramatic increase in veterans and current service members who identify as LGBTQ+ and are looking for social support. Last year, Nate was instrumental in creating the first and, to date, the only veterans' team. It includes veterans, or individuals who work in the veteran space, and supporters of the LGTBQ+ community.
"I could have easily provided 40 pages of reasons why Nathan Mallory is deserving of this award," said John Kaufman, who nominated Nate for the award. "This is a small example of the post-service life that Nate continues to live each day. He is most deserving of this award and it was my extreme honor to nominate him."
Dr. Charles J. Martoni Veterans 2022 Service Awardee is Nathan Mallory(PDF, 156KB)
2021
Recipient Dr. Charles Martoni
Awarded posthumously to his family
The 2021 award was presented to Dr. Charles J. Martoni, posthumously, in honor and recognition of his long career in public service. It will hereafter be known as the Dr. Charles J. Martoni Veterans Service Award.
Dr. Martoni was a veteran of the United States Army serving in the late 1950s in Alaska. After his discharge, he was approached by a wrestling promoter to become a professional wrestler. Between his work in the ring, and working in the steel mill, he was able to pay his way through college, launching his college career and his love of education. Dr. Martoni continued his lifelong journey in education, obtaining three Masters' degrees and a PhD.
Dr. Martoni believed that giving other people opportunity in their lives would make this world a better place. At the urging of his godmother who saw leadership skills in him, he put that vision into action, running for a seat on the Swissvale School Board. He won and later followed that service with campaigns to become Mayor of Swissvale and then Swissvale Council where he served as president of council. In 1999, he was elected to serve on the first Allegheny County Council, a position he held from January 2000 until his death in May 2019. Dr. Martoni won every election he ever entered.
In addition to his elected offices, Dr. Martoni also served the community as a member on many boards, including the Port Authority, Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Mon Valley Providers.
"Our family thanks you for instituting this award in my brother's name and in our family name for his years of service to his community," said Phyllis Friend, Dr. Martoni's sister. "Our entire family, especially those who served in the United States military, would be very proud of the Dr. Charles J. Martoni Veteran Service Award. Thank you for recognizing Charles in this very special way. It means a lot to our family. We look forward to congratulating the veterans who receive this award for years to come."
Fitzgerald was joined at today's announcement by Boddorf and Dr. Martoni's sister, Phyllis Friend, brother-in-law, Jake, and their three children, Katie, Brian and John. Also in attendance were several former County Council colleagues who served with Dr. Martoni including Jim Burn, Mike Crossey, Sam DeMarco, Vince Gastgeb, Bill Lestitian, and Anita Prizio. Several others sent remarks that were shared during the event.
Fitzgerald Announces Allegheny County Veterans Service Award(PDF, 107KB)