North Country Honor Flight Named 2025 Spirit of Ianelli Honoree
Barrie Finnegan accepts Spirit of Ianelli Award on behalf of the North Country Honor Flight Volunteers
Barrie Finnegan thanked Sunrise Rotary for the Award
Barrie Finnegan thanked the volunteers for their dedication. Not all the volunteers could be present for the ceremony.
Plattsburgh, Saturday, July 12 – The Sunrise Rotary Mayor’s Cup Regatta & Festival Committee has named the North Country Honor Flight as its 2025 Spirit of Ianelli Award honoree. Sunrise Rotary Club President Wanda Carroll presented the award to Barrie Finnegan, Executive Director of the North Country Honor Flight, along with other members of the organization, at the Mayor’s Cup Regatta Awards ceremony at the City Marina.
The Spirit of Ianelli Award was established in 2010 in honor of the late Mayor John Ianelli, former Mayor of the City of Plattsburgh and co-founder of the Mayor’s Cup Regatta in 1978. This honor is bestowed upon one individual or group of individuals – sailor or landlubber – who exemplifies the same “community does matter” spirit that inspired Mayor Ianelli over 45 years ago, empowering our lake community to thrive, not only on race day, but every day.
The North Country Honor Flight is a 100% volunteer-led non-profit organization dedicated to honoring local veterans by providing them with free trips to visit our nation’s war memorials in Washington, D.C. Flights began in 2013 and to date 61 Honor Flights have taken over 900 veterans to Washington, D.C. These trips offer veterans the opportunity to reflect on their service, bond with fellow service members and receive recognition for their service.
Plattsburgh Sunrise Rotary has been a proud supporter of the North Country Honor Flight from the beginning. In addition, several past and current Sunrise Rotarians are veterans and have made the trip to Washington, D.C. along with fellow service members. Sunrise Rotarian found their stories and memories of the day to be extremely powerful and very moving.
Past honorees of the Spirit of Ianelli Award include:
2024 – Mike Collin
2023 – Mia Taylor
2022- Julia Devine and Amy Guglielmo
2021 – Thom and Betty Loreman
2020 – Local Frontline Essential Workers
2019 – The Plattsburgh Air Park Restoration Group of Volunteers
2018 – Leigh and Stephens Mundy
2017 – Janet Duprey
2016 – Gordie Little
2015 – Local Law Enforcement of Clinton County, NY
2014 – Kit and Sally Booth
2013 – Bob Wallet
2012 – Roger Harwood
2011 – Matt Spiegel
2010 – Bob Pooler
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Posted: July 14th, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, Business News, Community Events, General News, Honor Flights, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History.