OGDENSBURG – Twenty-seven veterans from St. Lawrence, Jefferson, and Oswego counties were honored at a “Veterans Hall of Fame” ceremony at the Dobisky Center on Monday, hosted by Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton.

Members of the Heuvelton AMVETS Color Guard posted the colors during the ceremony and Sloane Ryan, a high school student from Ogdensburg Free Academy, sang the National Anthem.

The following St. Lawrence County veterans were recognized at Monday’s ceremony:

• Charles H. Alexander Jr. of Canton: Navy

• Darrell L. Dailey of Massena: Army

• Roy B. Forsythe of Gouverneur: Army

• John F. Freego of Canton: Army

• Richard Heffron of Gouverneur: Army

• John McCullough of Ogdensburg: Army

• David Pearson of Ogdensburg: Army

• Tracy Lee Sheesley of Canton: Army

• Robert Shelato, formerly of Massena: Army

• Robert C. Sheridan of Canton: Army

• William R. Swafford of South Colton: Navy

• Robert K. Wilson of Potsdam: Navy

• Alan J. “Doc” Winney of Lisbon: Navy

These Central and Northern New York veterans were nominated for induction into the New York State Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame by family, friends, co-workers and comrades-in-arms for their military service to our nation, and their continuing work and involvement in causes that benefit and improve our local communities, especially for soldiers and veterans.

Joining Ritchie during this ceremony was the commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division, Major General Walter Piatt.

“It’s so humbling to be able to honor these brave veterans and simply put, we cannot thank them enough for their dedication to protecting the freedoms of this great nation and its people,” Ritchie said in a prepared statement. “From storming the beaches of Normandy during WWII, to more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, these brave individuals embody what it truly means to be a hero. Without their selflessness and sacrifices, we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms we have today.”