Cheryll Duerk
U.S. Army
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Born in Jackson Heights, NY, Cheryll moved to Stamford, CT at six months old and has been a lifelong resident. She attended Stamford Public Schools and earned a BA in Political Science from Southern Connecticut State University. She also holds a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Adelphi University, an MA in Special Education from Fairfield University, and an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Nyack College.
Cheryll served in the US Army Reserves for 12 years as a Civil Affairs Officer. She completed Basic Training at Fort Dix, NJ, and Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, where she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.
Cheryll’s background spans both corporate and service sectors, including work in special education for Stamford Public Schools. Deeply committed to her community and public service, Cheryll has held numerous leadership roles. She founded the Women’s Veteran Support Group and is a member of the Stamford Veterans Resource Center. She was the first woman to serve as Senior Vice Commander of American Legion Post 3 and was appointed State Commissioner for Veterans Affairs. Her civic roles include Justice of the Peace, member of the Stamford Patriotic and Special Events Commission, and candidate for State Representative in Stamford.
Richard S. “Dick” Fisher
U.S. Army
Read About Richard
Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1937, Dick moved to New Jersey at one and was raised there. He went on to earn a B.S. in Accounting from Penn State, where he completed ROTC and graduated as a Second Lieutenant in Military Intelligence. He later earned his law degree from Cornell Law School.
After graduation, Dick entered active duty, completing the Officer Basic Training and the Military Intelligence courses. He was stationed in Germany in the G2 section of 7th Army Headquarters near Stuttgart, where he worked the order of battle intelligence at the Satellite Armies desk.
Following active duty in 1966, Dick served in the Army Reserve in Washington, DC, in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, attaining the rank of Captain, while working at the Internal Revenue Service’s National Office. He later transitioned to private practice and has been a Stamford-based attorney since 1970, currently serving as “of counsel” with Nemchek & Poeschl.
Dick has been active in the Stamford community, serving on the boards of Junior Achievement, Stamford Symphony, Alzheimer’s Association – Connecticut Chapter, Temple Beth El, Stamford Senior Center, Senior Men’s Association of Stamford, Learning in Retirement, and Beth El Cemetery Association. He is also a proud member of Post 142, Jewish War Veterans.
Dick and Rosalea have been married for 57 years and have two children, Jodi (Boston) and Michael (Burlington, VT) and two grandchildren. In 2023, Dick and Rosalea received the Reyno Giallongo Community Legacy Award from First County Bank for their community contributions.
Philip Alan Gerard
U.S. Navy
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Alan Gerard graduated from Westhill High School and operated an International Moving and Storage company in Stamford. He holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Alan was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy in 1987. After 30 years of military service, he retired in 2017 with the rank of Captain.
As a Naval Aviator, he flew the E-2C Hawkeye, an Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft serving in Airborne Early Warning squadrons as a division officer and department head as squadron maintenance officer. He deployed four times aboard aircraft carriers USS Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Vinson, where he participated in operations Desert Shield, Deliberate Forge, Southern Watch, and Enduring Freedom. He also has flown the A-6E Intruder attack aircraft and EA-6B Prowler electronic attach aircraft serving as an operational test pilot at Naval Air Weapons Center, China Lake. As a Navy Reservist, he was mobilized to Military Sealift Command Office Kuwait as Executive Officer and to Afghanistan as Deputy Group Commander, Air Expeditionary Advisory Group to train the Afghan Air Force during operation Enduring Freedom.
Captain Gerard’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and numerous campaign medals. He has accumulated over 9,000 hours combined military and civilian flying including over 300 carrier landings. Currently, he serves as the Commanding Officer of Dealey Division, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and was previously the Commander of Springdale Post 9617 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Alan continues his passion for flying as a Boeing 737 Captain for United Airlines. He currently resides in Stamford with his wife, Sheryl, and has two children, Patric and Crista.
Donald Hartman
U.S. Army
Read About Don
Don was born in 1948 in Ottawa, Canada, and moved to Townsend, MA, in 1963. He entered the service in 1967 at Fort Hamilton, NY, after attending East Islip High School. He completed military education in Avionics at Fort Gordon, GA; Infantry training in Dak To, Vietnam; and Military Police training at Fort Devens, MA. He served in various roles, including with the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam and the 694th Military Police at Fort Devens, achieving the rank of E5 Specialist.
Don received several military decorations, including the Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart with one cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and the Sharpshooter Rifle Badge. His greatest honor was serving on a reconnaissance team in Vietnam, where he helped provide critical intelligence to suppress the enemy and protect American troops. Although born in Canada, Don felt a deep connection to the United States and proudly became an American citizen in uniform in 1969.
Following his military service, Don worked in landscaping and construction. He married his wife, Angela, in 1973, and they welcomed their daughter, Torie, in 1983. Now retired, Don remains active in his church, the American Legion, VFW, and the Stamford Veterans Resource Center. He draws strength from his faith, family, and Army service.
Richard H. “Cookie” Thomas, Sr.
U.S. Navy
Read About Richard
Richard was born in New Brunswick, NJ, and later moved to Philadelphia, PA, where he attended Thomas A. Edison High School. In 1966, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as a Navy Seabee MCB62 and completing two tours in Vietnam. His home base was Gulf Port, Mississippi. He completed Marine Corps infantry training at Camp Lejeune, NC, and was stationed in Phu Bai and later in Danang during the Tet Offensive. His final duty station was in Kenitra, Morocco. Richard was honorably discharged and received several medals, including the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.
Following his military service, Richard settled in Stamford, CT, and joined Pitney Bowes, where he successfully advanced through the ranks. He trained employees in conflict resolution and language skills and also performed voiceovers for company videos. He later developed the LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) program, which brought children from Stamford’s Southend to Pitney Bowes, where employees volunteered as tutors. He retired from Pitney Bowes after 34 years of service.
A lifelong music enthusiast, Richard enjoys singing and has performed at numerous events, including at independent and assisted living communities. He is a member of VFW Post 6933 in Darien and frequently lends his voice to veteran-related events.
Richard has been married to his wife, Lauren, for 52 years. They are proud parents and grandparents.
