Program Notes

Town Supervisor John Perticone popped into the meeting to provide an update on town activities:

The town is conducting a survey about leaf pickup, please complete the survey
The town is committed to building a playground, pickle ball court and stage (45 x 25) on the campus
Kearney is building a $10 million field house and an ice-skating rink
Seabreeze has a new waterslide
Town bathroom renovations-working toward completion
The County passed a resolution to honor Dr. Joe Carbone with a street. Details to come.
There are no plans to update existing cabins at Camp Eastman

Major Steven McAlpin, tonight’s speaker, is a retiree from the US Army after 26 years of Service. He enlisted for Active duty in 1978 as a Carpentry/Masonry Specialist earning the rank of SGT/E-5. Transferring to the Army Reserves in 1984, he cross-trained as a Combat Medic where he earned SSG/E-6. Transferring to the 98th Division, McAlpin attended the Empire State Military Academy, earning a commission as a 2LT of Infantry. Again promoted, 1LT McAlpin transferred into the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion in Webster, NY.

In Bosnia, McAlpin served as the Bagram Air Base Liaison where he cultivated (MOSTLY) friendly working relationships with many politicians, warlords, and the general population. He became the 1 st person to teach formal English in Afghanistan since 1979. A delivery of over 200 desks and benches in an Afghanistan school was the subject of a painting McAlpin did for President and Mrs. George W. Bush. “Window of Opportunity” is on permanent display at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas.

When Steven came back from Afghanistan, he struggled with PTSD. He decided to join American Veterans Archaeological Recovery (AVAR) which partners with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to locate and recover missing service members abroad using archaeological methods. AVAR helps veterans heal and reintegrate into civilian life through Rehabilitation Archaeology. By combining hands-on excavation with expert mentorship, AVAR builds a supportive, veteran-led community that reduces isolation and provides a renewed sense of mission. Since its inception, AVAR has excavated 15-20 sites.

Steve’s first assignment was at the West Sussex crash site in England. It was at this site where the team hoped to uncover the remains of Air Forces airmen from World War II: Pilot 1st Lt. William B. Montgomery, Co-pilot Flight Officer John J. Crowther, and Flight Engineer Tech. Sgt. John Holoka Jr. Their B-24 Liberator bomber was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire while returning from a bombing mission over France on June 22, 1944. Flight Officer John J. Crowther’s remains were found shortly after the crash.

Steve said the excavation crew was like a family. There were twelve veterans and several college students. The team was taught how to sift the dirt to find any artifacts. The dirt was then sifted a second time before disposal. Suspected artifacts were always secured overnight and always faced the American flag. If artifacts were found they were sent to DPAA in Hawaii for DNA analysis and, hopefully, identification.

Steve’s team found a pilot’s gold signet ring, a fraternity ring (Phi Kappa Psi), an identity bracelet, and preserved remains of a boot. Aircraft debris included .50-caliber machine guns, spent ammunition, hydraulic fluid, and thousands of structural fragments. As a result of the excavation, Pilot 1st Lt. William B. Montgomery remains were discovered and he was formally accounted for on January 10, 2023, and buried at ⁠Arlington National Cemetery on September 13, 2023. Steve attended the funeral. DPAA continues to actively pursue Flight Engineer Tech. Sgt. John Holoka Jr.’s case.

Steve’s second assignment was at a crash site as a result of Operation Husky. Operation Husky was a massive Allied amphibious and airborne invasion of Sicily during World War II, launched on July 10, 1943. Led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, it marked the beginning of the Italian Campaign.

It was a 1.5-mile hike to and from the site every day. The team discovered a weapon that was ten feet underground and still had oil on it. They also found a boot with a foot in it.

As a result of the excavations, 2nd Lt. Allan Knepper: A USAAF pilot whose P-38 crashed during combat operations on July 10, 1943. His remains were formally identified in 2024. Steve went to his memorial and was given Knepper’s dog tags by the family.