Albany County has had a proud history of its residents serving our state and country. They have put their lives on the line for their community, and we want to make sure they know that their service has not gone unnoticed. Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy will recognize three exceptional individuals who have bravely served our country. 

County Executive McCoy will hold his biannual Honor a Living Veteran ceremony and honor Lawrence Wiest, Richard Brumley and Steven Riedel on Thursday, June 9 at 10:00am at Crossgates Mall (on the first floor near 110 Grill).

Lawrence Wiest was commissioned in the Infantry in 1965 and completed the Army’s Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces schools. His service included two tours in Korea and a tour in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969 with the 5th Special Forces Group as an A-Team Commander in the Mekong Delta. After returning home, Wiest was a prosecutor in the Albany County District Attorney’s Office for more than thirty years, serving for many years as chief assistant district attorney, as acting district attorney, and in many other positions. Wiest and his wife, Sara, have been married fifty years, have a son and a daughter and three granddaughters. 

Richard Brumley is a veteran who served in the United States Navy as an aircraft mechanic from 1960-1964. When he returned, he was a dedicated member of American Legion Helderberg Post 977 and was chosen as the 2019 Legionnaire of the Year for his contributions towards the updating of the post rooms and stepping up to hold the position of Commander.  

Steven Riedel is a veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps, United States Marine Corps Reserves, United State Army National Guard and United States Naval Reserves. He received many military awards, Letters of Commendation and Appreciation. Riedel has been married to his wife, Kathleen, for 44 years, has two children, and one granddaughter.   He worked as an Industrial Electronic Equipment Installer for the Watervliet Arsenal for 39 years.

This will be the 15th such event County Executive McCoy has hosted since 2013, having honored some 42 veterans.