A highly decorated United States Army veteran and a well-known mainstay of numerous local organizations and initiatives in Steuben County was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
Scott Ward was commissioned through the ROTC program at Cornell University in 1988. He served in the Army as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Light Armored Cavalry Troop Commander, Infantry Brigade Liaison Officer, Basic Combat Training Company Commander, and Battalion/Brigade Operations Officer, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). He is the recipient of numerous prestigious military awards, including the Bronze Star Medal (OLC), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Airborne Badge, Meritorious Service Medal (OLC), Army Commendation Medal (OLC), and the Army Achievement Medal (2OLC).
Ward and his wife, Kari, own and operate Windydale Farm in Avoca. He is a member of the Bath Central School District Board of Education and Vice President of the Steuben County Farm Bureau.
State Senator Tom O’Mara selected Ward to represent his 58th Senate District and join approximately 60 other veterans from throughout New York State being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. State senators can select one inductee annually to represent their respective legislative districts. The Senate established its online Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2005. The Hall salutes New York veterans for their service in the United States Armed Forces and their civilian accomplishments.
A statewide Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held Tuesday morning in the Legislative Office Building in Albany. Ward was unable to attend the Albany ceremony and will be recognized by O’Mara during a local ceremony at a later date.
O’Mara said, “It is a great honor to induct Scott Ward into the Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame to ensure that his service to our nation and his commitment to area communities will always be remembered. I remain grateful that the New York State Senate provides this opportunity to salute the service of local veterans who have also devoted their civilian lives and made difference-making contributions to local communities. Scott Ward served our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan with bravery, distinction, and excellence. Then he returned home to Steuben County, where he has dedicated his life’s work to service in agriculture, education, and stronger communities. Scott has positively impacted so many lives, and I am proud, through the Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame, to express our collective gratitude and respect.”
Ward’s full Hall of Fame biography follows:
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Scott M. Ward, United States Army (Ret.), a native of Steuben County, New York, was commissioned through the ROTC program at Cornell University in 1988. He has served as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Light Armored Cavalry Troop Commander, Infantry Brigade Liaison Officer, Basic Combat Training Company Commander, and Battalion/Brigade Operations Officer.
In his first combat deployment, Mr. Ward served as a Senior Military Advisor of a Military Transition Team (MiTT) with the Iraqi Intervention Forces (IIF) in Fallujah, Iraq during 2004-2005.
After transitioning out of Iraq, Mr. Ward returned stateside and was recruited for a Battalion Executive Officer position by the incoming commander of the new Regional Training Center East at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He supervised combat service support personnel to prepare soldiers for mobilization to Iraq and Afghanistan. During his tenure, more than 4,500 soldiers underwent training.
From 2009-2012, Mr. Ward served as Installation Mobilization Officer at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. While there, he was given the additional duty of Deputy Director of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security of the installation. He was recruited to serve as the Officer in Charge of the South Carolina Agribusiness Development Team 3-49 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, during 2013.
Mr. Ward is the recipient of numerous prestigious military awards, including the Bronze Star Medal (OLC), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Airborne Badge, Meritorious Service Medal (OLC), Army Commendation Medal (OLC), and the Army Achievement Medal (2OLC).
After returning home to Steuben County, Mr. Ward has continued a life of service as a member of the Bath Central School Board, Vice President of the Steuben County Farm Bureau, Board of Directors of American Legion Charles E. Westcott Post 0173, and member of the Safety and Security Team at Victory Highway Wesleyan Church. He is a well-known agriculture education promoter for area schools, a GST BOCES agriculture advisor, and a member of Congressman Nick Langworthy’s agriculture advisory committee.
He and his wife, Kari, have three children: sons Bradley (Gabrielle), Christopher (Alexandra), and daughter Danielle (Chase) Howard. They currently own and operate Windydale Farm in Avoca.
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