The Peru Gazette

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New York residents and non-residents can fish for free without a license on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11. New York’s Free Fishing Days encourage more people to get outdoors and enjoy the state’s world-class fishing opportunities. Legislation signed by the Governor in 2015 allowed an increase in the number of authorized statewide Free Fishing Days. Every year since, Veterans Day has been designated as a Free Fishing Day.

The Free Fishing Days program is administered by DEC as part of Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative. The free fishing days program began in 1991, to give people who might not fish a chance to try the sport at no cost, introduce people to a new hobby, and encourage people to support the sport by purchasing a New York State fishing license.

Free Fishing Day participants are reminded that although the requirement for a fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect. When not participating in Free Fishing Days, anyone 16 years of age and older must have a current State fishing license to fish in New York. Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. You can find more information on purchasing a fishing license on DEC’s website.

Anglers fishing from a boat should make sure it’s large enough so persons on board are at least six feet apart from one another. For more information on boating guidelines and safety, go to State Parks website and for more information about how to PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE * PLAY LOCAL, visit DEC’s website.

Rita white, Rudy Chapola, John Stafford

Frank Duffy and Francis Turner

By John T. Ryan

Over the past 15 years, the Honor Flight Network has transported more than 200,000 of America’s veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring those who have served and sacrificed for our country. The veterans often refer to the trip as the honor of a lifetime, something they will never forget. 

Guardians accompany every Honor Flight veteran. The guardians take care of personal needs, frequently pushing the vet’s wheelchair. Most guardians are family members or close friends; however, sometimes, the guardian is a volunteer who only recently met the veteran. John Stafford of Peru, NY and Frank Duffy of Atlanta, Georgia, are two such guardians. Neither man realized that their Honor Flight journey would be a life-changing experience for themselves and the veteran they escorted. 

When Critical Care E.M.T. John Stafford arrived at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh in the summer of 2015 he couldn’t have conceived that someone he had never met before would ask him to be an Honor Flight guardian. Stafford recalls, “I was getting an EKG set up Rudy Chapola. I hadn’t known him for ten minutes when his wife Rita asked me if I would be his escort on the next Honor Flight. She said someone had volunteered on two previous occasions but had to cancel because of work schedules.” Over the next three hours in the ER, John Stafford listened to many of the 93-year old World War II vet’s stories and got to hear even more stories while visiting Rudy in his hospital room. 

On July 15, 2015, John Stafford traveled to Rudy and Rita’s home in Champlain, where motorcycles arrived to escort the highly decorated veteran to the send-off ceremonies at U.S. Oval in Plattsburgh.  Upon arrival in Washington D.C., they visited the  World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Arlington National Cemetery. Stafford recalled, “I’ll never forget the look on Rudy’s face as he stared out the window when the bus got to Arlington Cemetery.” Meeting Senator Robert Dole at the WWII Memorial was another highlight. After a long, thrilling day, Stafford and Chapola said good-night knowing that they were friends and would see each other again.

The friendship included frequent visits to Rudy and Rita’s home, taking them out to eat, trips to the Albany VA hospital, and traveling to the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino near Massena. Rudy loved those Akwesasne slot machines, so much so that he got preferred customer treatment. 

Stafford said, “Rudy and Rita became my surrogate grandparents. He loved to make people laugh. I could listen to him for hours. He trusted me and we formed a friendship. We shared humor and a love for God and country. I was truly blessed.” 

Rudy Chapola passed away at age 95 on July 9, 2016. John Stafford gave the eulogy at Rudy’s funeral and is still Rita’s close friend.  

Speaking to Frank Duffy of Atlanta, Georgia feels like a replay of a conversation with John Stafford. Duffy is a three-time volunteer Honor Flight guardian. The second veteran was Schuyler Falls, NY native Francis Turner. Like Rudy Chapola, Turner was a highly decorated World War II veteran. 

Duffy recalls departing from Atlanta with Francis Turner. “Francis was something else. He talked me under the table. By 10:30 in the morning. I knew everything about his family and Upstate New York.” Duffy mentioned a special happening at Dulles Airport as the veterans were waiting for their journey home. The U.S.O. asked the guardians to step aside to give the veterans time to be alone together. Duffy said, “They talked and talked with each other. They acted like 20 year-olds. They shared a wonderful day.” 

Like John Stafford, Duffy’s relationship with the veteran continued. Duffy said, “Francis became my surrogate grandfather. We adopted each other. I took him to high school football games, Braves games, the Peach Bowl, and the World War II Museum in New Orleans. He came to our family events. The last time I saw him was in the hospital, “You’ve done enough, soldier, I said.” He died about a week after that, on April 27, 2019, at age 96.

Francis Brown Turner was laid to rest with full military honors in the Schuyler Falls Cemetery on October 8, 2019. A few weeks ago, on October 9, 2020, Frank Duffy visited Francis one more time, only this time at his gravesite. Duffy returned home to Atlanta, assured that his Honor Flight friend was resting in peace. 

Frank Duffy and Francis Turner

Frank Duffy visits Francis Turner’s grave

John Stafford and Rudy Chapola arriving at the Clinton County Airport

John and Rudy on the flight to D.C.

Francis Turner enjoying a Braves game

Rudy Chapola arriving at Arlington National Cemetery

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday October 26, 2020 at the Peru Town Hall.  Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald, Supervisor; Mr. Richard Barber, Councilman; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. Mel Irwin, Councilman; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk; Ms. Pamela Barber, Secretary to the Board; Mr. Matt Favro, Town Attorney; Mr. Bob Guynup, Zoning Officer; Mr. Mike Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control Officer and Mr. John Flynn, Youth Director. Read more »

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