This is the story of Michael Wittlinger, lot attendant at West Herr Honda in Lockport.  We are proud to have Michael on board with us. 

I joined the New York Air National Guard in May of 1972.  I was assigned to the 107^th Airlift Wing, Civil Engineering section as an Administration Specialist.  My job was mainly administrative duties.  I served in this assignment for 14 years, serving one weekend a month and two weeks annual training each summer. Pictured:Col. Patrick Gallivan, Mike Wittlinger and Chief Master Sargeant Richard King.

In November of 1986, I was selected for an active duty position as an Administration Specialist with the Accounting and Finance office.  I performed the same administrative duties along with assisting in payroll.  I was assigned there until August 1988, when I accepted a Human Resource Position.  In this position, I worked with enlistments, separations, and retirements.   

Along with my duties in the department, I trained for the deployable Human Resource team.  This training eventually took me to France in 1998, and to Spain in 2004 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Shortly after returning from overseas, I was assigned to the position of Personnel Systems Manager (HR).  This position involved analysis of data to ensure the accuracy of the system. 

I retired in October 2009, as a Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) with over 23 years of active duty and a total of 37 years of service.  My many awards include two Air Force Commendation Medals, two Air Force Achievement Medals, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, and the New York State Commendation Medal.        

I take great pride in serving our country all those years and am thankful for those who served with me.  This Memorial Day, let’s remember all those who sacrificed so much and thank all those who still serve.

Major Evert E. Hoffman is the grandfather of Erik Brungard, sales consultant at West Herr Honda.  Erik was kind enough to share his Grandfather's story with us.

Evert Hoffman was a Pearl Harbor Survivor.  On that fateful morning, he was eating breakfast when attacked. 

When my mother took my grandparents to Hawaii, my mother saw the spot the very spot where it happened.  She said it was an OPEN field with no cover. Clearly, he was a very brave man.  He loved his country and family.

Hoffman was stationed in Beppu Japan in the 19^th Infantry division.  His division was the first group of soliders sent to Korea.  My mother and Grandparents also lived in Panama canal zone and when they came back stateside he was stationed at Fort Dix, NJ. 

There he worked for HQ and then became the Range Officer; a position he loved.  He worked as the there until he retired from the Army and then went back to Fort Dix to still be in charge as the Range Officer. 

My grandfather loved his country and I am happy to honor him. 



This was sent to us by Tom Fogarty, General Manager at West Herr Toyota of Orchard Park, about his son Derek.  Derek is a former West Herr employee and now serves in the United States Marines.

When I asked my son Derek why he chose the Armed Forces he said, "Dad, who else would you rather have defend our country than your son?"  

It's not easy being the parent of this brave child, now a man, but I'll tell you we're proud of him and his decision to help protect our country's freedom.

Derek J. Fogarty is a new US Marine.  He is 22 years old and recently graduated from The US Marine Corp at Parris Island, South Carolina, in 2010.

He also received additional training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Derek has chosen his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) as a 0311 which is his job code as a Rifleman. It is the primary infantry MOS for the Marine Corps.

Derek will start additional training here at the Niagara Falls Air Force base in May. He will then be sent to California for more extensive training and most likely see his first duties overseas in the fall of 2010.

We are extremely proud of Derek.  As a Dad that is now starting to understand the commitment that these young people make I thought I’d share this with you as a “thinking aid” of how lucky we truly are.