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July 8, 2002
CONTACT: Linda McCandless, llm3@cornell.edu, 315-787-2417
By Linda McCandless & Peter Seem
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| (left to right) Sergeant
Major Mike Gallucci awarded a Patriot's Citation to FRU manager Mark Scott, based on a recommendation by Sergeant First Class William 'Ted' Brightman, also of FRU. |
GENEVA, NY: On behalf of his country, Mark Scott, manager of the Field Research Unit at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, in Geneva, NY, is a busy man. At the end of June, he received a Patriot's Citation from the United States Department of Defense on behalf of the 98th Division of the U.S. Army Reserves. This past week, he was dispatched to fight wildfires in the West.
Citation First
The Patriot's Citation was presented to Scott on June 24, by Command Sergeant Major Mike Gallucci of the 7th Brigade of the 98th Division. The Patriot's Citation recognizes employee support of the Reserves and National Guard during times of national emergency. Employees provide support by allowing reservists to leave their civilian jobs on 48-hour notice, and also by providing job security while they are serving their country.
Scott was nominated for the award by reservist William 'Tim' Brightman, who works for the Field Research Unit. Brightman was activated under Operation Enduring Freedom after the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Towers on Sept. 11. He was called to duty on Oct. 17, 2001, and reported to Fort Leonardwood, in Missouri, as a Combat Multiplier in the 98th Division, on Oct. 19. Brightman's job was to integrate newly activated reservists and soldiers into the army by providing orientation and integrated training before they went overseas or into basic training. He served six months, was discharged from active duty on April 17, and returned to the Station shortly thereafter.
"This award is a testament to the team you have here at the Experiment Station, and to the teamwork that Mark Scott instills in all of you," said Gallucci, a representative of the Employee Support of the Guard & Reserves (ESGR). "Mark Scott leads by example." Gallucci presented the certificate to Scott "on behalf of Major General Wilson of the 98th Division and on behalf of the men and women of America's reserve forces for outstanding service to national defense through continuing support of the National Guard and Reserves." Scott's was one of three citations given out so far by the 98th Division.
"September 11 was a difficult day for every one of us," said Scott, upon receiving the award. "The Field Research Unit is very proud to have had a representative from our unit called up for active duty to serve our country."
Brightman served in the U.S. Army for six years, from 1976-1982, in military intelligence and as a medic. He has been a reservist for 16 years. This was the first time he had ever been deployed as a reservist.
"It was very nice to have the support of my boss, Mark Scott, and the rest of the Station. Everyone has been more than accommodating," said Brightman. "I had only been employed here six months when I got the call. When I left we were right in the middle of apple harvest. I know a lot of guys had to cover for me."
Now the Fires
On July 2, Scott, who is a federally certified wildfire fighter, was flown to Wyoming to be part of a team sent from New York to help combat the wildfires raging in the western mountain states. His tour of duty is expected to last two weeks, with the possibility of extending his service. He reported to Hector, NY, at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, and flew to Albany, and then Harrisburg to join other team members before traveling to Wyoming. The team is assigned to a fire in the area of Gillette, Wyoming, which is among 16 wildfires burning in Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona and the Dakotas. Scott is a volunteer firefighter for the Middlesex Fire Company, near where he lives.
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