Hornell native John Tobias enters Veterans Hall of Fame. Why his service stands out.

Hornell native Merle John Tobias, a U.S. Army veteran who has served countless others through his work at the Bath VA Medical Center, recently added another distinction to his resume.

New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Famer.

Tobias was recognized Thursday by State Senator Tom O’Mara (R, C-Big Flats) during the Allegany County Fair. O’Mara selected Tobias as his 2024 Veterans Hall of Fame inductee. A ceremony was held in Albany in May, though Tobias was unable to attend.

O’Mara said the state honor will “ensure that his service and his commitment to area veterans will always be remembered.”

“John served our nation at the end of the Cold War and throughout the Persian Gulf War with great distinction and honor,” said O’Mara. “Then he came back home where he remained committed to the critical work of assisting his fellow veterans and their families.”

Tobias served in National Guard, U.S. Army

Tobias joined New York’s Army National Guard in Hornell and was later transferred to active duty in the Army. He was stationed in Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and rose to the rank of sergeant.

Tobias went on to serve in the Persian Gulf in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm with the 3 ^rd Armored Division. He was later redeployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Southern Watch before returning to Hornell’s National Guard Unit, where he served until 1998.

Tobias has helped veterans facing challenges at Bath VA

Upon returning home, Tobias earned a Health and Human Services degree from Alfred State College and spent time with The Arc Allegany-Steuben.

Tobias has since held numerous roles at the Bath VA Medical Center, including Social Services Assistant for homeless veterans and veterans with substance abuse challenges.

While he has received numerous military and civilian awards and commendations, Tobias said that working directly with veterans as a Social Services Assistant has been the highlight and joy of his career, according to his Hall of Fame bio.

“My biggest award is knowing I helped one person who needed it,” he said.

Tobias is a lifetime member of Hornell VFW Post 2250. He has also served as a counselor for boys at Kinship Youth and Family Services in Steuben County, where he met his wife, Ann.

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Other Veterans Hall of Fame members from Steuben County

Over 1,000 New York state veterans have been inducted into the Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame since it was founded in 2005.

Tobias is the fourth Steuben County native honored, joining Warren A. Thompson, a lifelong Steuben County resident and farmer who was a stalwart in the county’s civic and veterans affairs; Painted Post Mayor and World War II combat veteran Roswell L. “Roz” Crozier, Jr.; and William K. Kastner, a Vietnam veteran and longtime director of the Steuben County Veterans Service Agency.

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell native John Tobias enters Veterans Hall of Fame. Why his service stands out.