On behalf of the Herkimer County Hunger Coalition and my wife Kay and me, congratulations on reaching an important pinnacle in your lives. Like you, I walked the hallowed halls of Little Falls High, pitched for the Purple and White, played trumpet in the band and orchestra, and graduated in 1960. I was born on West Main Street, later moved to Skinner Street, and was a proud member of the Furnace Street “Gang” (in the good sense of the word). My “goombahs” had names with which you might be familiar-Zysk, Carmen, Balderston, Bielejec, Fitzgibbons, Urich, and Mihevc. We whiled away hours playing hide and seek and whiffle ball, raising harmless hell, drinking Orange Palms, and slurping root beer popsicles at Frederica’s corner store. Oh, yeah-add Stash Zawtocki to that list of good friends.
The blonde-haired, rosy-cheeked Polish kid with the engaging personality was the most popular kid of the bunch. After graduation, he enlisted in the Marines, and while serving his second stint in Vietnam, he was captured by the NVA.
After enduring 684 days of captivity, which included a failed escape attempt, countless beatings, and systematic starvation, his noble heart finally was stilled on Christmas Eve, 1969. Over the years, numerous fund raisers-community improvement projects have been held in SSGT. Zawtocki’s memory. Those of us who knew him will never forget him. Next to the word American Hero is Stash’s picture.
Among my fellow graduates was Danny Mosny, an amicable, always smiling kid who starred as point guard on Bill Basdekis’ hoopsters-got tons of bench splinters sitting on the bench on the same team. Dan was the youngest of the six Mosny brothers, all of whom distinguished themselves in the classroom and on the b-ball court.
Most famous of the lot was Milan, perhaps the finest role model ever to graduate in a purple and white gown. For my money, his picture and brief bio should be prominently displayed at the school. Suffice it to say that Mo wasn’t just a basketball star. He epitomized the concept of student-athlete, graduating at the top of his class. Those who remember, say that his valedictory address at graduation was mind-boggling!
Milan Mosny joined the Class of 49 at West Point in 1945. After being dismissed as too small for the varsity, Mose worked his way up the ranks until, during his Second Class year, he was promoted to the A-Squad, becoming the highest scorer during his last two years. He also played varsity baseball and ran cross country. Academically, he graduated in the top third of his class, earning the Modern Language prize in French. After graduating in 1949, he reported to Perrin AFB, Sherman, Texas, for Basic Pilot Training, followed by advanced training on the F86D fighter at Williams AFB (Chandler, Arizona). He’d found his calling!
Subsequently, Capt. Mosny was reassigned to the 35th Fighter Interceptor Group in Japan, where he served on the group staff. He had blossomed into a highly motivated, skillful, dedicated officer with a great career in his future. Tragically, it was not to be. On the evening of January 6, 1955, during a night intercept training exercise, his jet collided with another at 25,000 feet. His body was recovered in Tokyo Bay the next morning. Milan’s commanding officer’s words serve as a fitting eulogy for Diamond Street’s finest. “Mo was one of the most promising officers I have known. His Academy background and flying ability were great assets but were secondary to the man he was. Mo was a favorite, both in the squadrons and in the group. He was a member of my staff, valuable, well-liked, and respected. Our personal loss is deep. He was a good personal friend.”
Milan’s death came in the wake of the deaths of Clifton Avery, Walter Bobak, William Grogan, and Thomas Ochar, sons of Little Falls all of who were killed in action in Korea. A few years ago, in their memories, a group of high school students conducted a city-wide food drive wearing T-shirts with their and Milan’s names on them. Their efforts resulted in nearly 1500 items of food and $168 for the local pantry on Furnace Street, still supervised by the incomparable Sue Tucker.
I’m thinking that as a tribute to the aforementioned heroes, including SSGT. Zawtocki, you, the Class of 2023, and your advisors might consider organizing a food/donation drive during the week of May 22nd (or sooner). You’d divide the city, pair up and get to it. Dave Warner and I will publicize the event-might even convince local TV stations to get on board. After completion, the Coalition will present a participatory plaque for display at the school. Said project would be a win-win-win proposition-looking good on a student’s vita-improving the quality of life in the community-adding substance to the meaning of Memorial Day 2023 by honoring the memories of seven local heroes.
REMEMBER NEVER TO FORGET!