Reaching other vets a passion for Wallkill member TOWN OF WALLKILL — Michael Cody nearly died serving his country in Vietnam. He’s devoted his life since to giving back to vets he served alongside and reaching the new generation returning. Passionate about honoring the fallen and helping the living, Cody has persuaded town leaders to see the potential in their own backyards to honor and help veterans. That devotion earned Cody an induction earlier this year into the state Veterans’ Hall of Fame. ‘It will eat you up if you don’t talk about it.’ Cody is part of a generation of vets that faced difficult, and often hostile homecomings after war. Many got jobs and built lives back home, but many also suffered from substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. That’s where Cody’s day job comes in. In his 28 years as a Town of Wallkill truck driver, he’s gotten to know town roads and property better than most and, with a group of fellow vets on board, Cody has carried out a vision to help veterans young and old. Cody persuaded town leaders to allow him and others to convert a vacant, often littered triangle of land on a busy street into something special. The resulting Veterans Memorial Park has a wall of honor for Vietnam veterans living and dead, with local vets’ names etched on the granite wall. They’ve since added tributes for other wars and 9/11. “The idea for veterans is that you can go sit down, relax and read the names and talk about it,” said Cody. “It will eat you up if you don’t talk about it.” Cody’s grassroots American Soldiers’ Statue Committee kept going. They bought several trailers that they adorned with photos and info about wars and 9/11. The goal is to educate, but also reach out to other veterans. Michael Cody with wall of honor at the Veterans Memorial Park. “The newer veterans are not joining veterans’ organizations,” said Cody, who said many returning vets are unaware of available assistance. “We meet so many of them at different events and get talking. Once they keep talking, you can find out more so you can help them. It’s veterans helping veterans.” More recently, Cody and other vets secured another piece of land for what is now Purple Heart Memorial Park. Town leaders then approved naming the adjacent railroad trestle tunnel as the Disabled American Veterans’ Tunnel. Town workers help with mowing and other upkeep at the parks, but committee members raise funds to pay for electric and additions of benches and other items at the parks. Even after a recent illness, Cody isn’t slowing down. His passion for helping other vets is what drives him. His town job is what pays the bills, but it’s clear that Cody’s off-hours work is his life’s legacy. — Jessica Ladlee Michael Cody shows the photos inside a trailer designed to educate and reach out to other veterans. “My union...” “My union is about safety, security and education. Safety and security for my family, with things like life insurance and disability insurance. Education through the LEAD Program and the various trainings I’ve attended allow me to help my co-workers and fellow union members. My union also allows me to help throughout my community. Being involved in the union, I came to realize that it’s not just employee based, it’s about being engaged and involved in our communities.” — Onondaga County Local activist Kevin Tucker, income maintenance specialist for the Onondaga County Department of Economic Security in the Temporary Assistance Intake Division. September 2015 The Work Force 7
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