A Niagara County man was recently honored by the New York State Office for the Aging for his volunteer contributions to help keep his community safe.
Donald Lanternier, 89, of Pendleton served in Korea, primarily the northern end, from 1953 to 1955, complete with his pet monkey, before coming home to attend the University at Buffalo on a GI bill.
He's better known to most as “Judge,” after being elected the town's justice of the peace in 1965, and was also given this clock when he retired from the phone company in 1985, but still remains active as part of the Korean War Veterans Association, VFW, American Legion and the Pendleton Veterans Association.
"I'm giving it back,” Lanternier said. “I've been very fortunate my whole life. I just enjoy helping other people. It's like seeing a person go up to a door and they can't open it, so you open the door for them. People say thank you and you feel good about it.”
Lanternier is also feeling good about the New York State Office for the Aging recognizing him as one of 94 volunteers making a difference in their community.
"Well, it's very rewarding, you know," Lanternier said.
State leaders say 63% of veterans in the state are over the age of 60, with people like Judge dedicated to lending a helping hand to others.
“So, to see a veteran or even a non-veteran, giving back and really committing, I think he is serving in at least eight different volunteer capacities is really something we should all take notice of by his example,” New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said. “It's incredible.”
Lanternier also volunteers with the Wendelville Fire Service, and has for the last 64 years, making him the oldest member of the group. While he doesn't battle burning buildings, he is CPR-trained, and is one of the first on the scene to help when disaster strikes.
"There's a lot of personal satisfaction helping other people,” he said. “I'm still contributing to society, helping the town of Pendleton people, helping the fire company.”
He also served as the past president of the department, and his name and picture are on the wall.
Even though he'll turn 90 next year, Lanternier says he has decided he has no plans of slowing down.
"I'm going to stay active as long as my body holds up,” he said. “I got aches and pains but I'm going to stay as long as I can.”
That's his verdict, case closed.
The judge was one of only two honored out of Niagara County, and was nominated by the local Office for the Aging after receiving a heart-warming letter from his granddaughter.
In part three, we'll meet an honoree out of Allegany County for his volunteer efforts to help make the lives of those in his community a little less taxing.