By Mel Rubenstein
A big thank you to Ed Rogers of the Syracuse VA who recommended that I feature Dan and Pat Gordon in this column. He said; “They have volunteered at the DAV for over a decade and are quite dedicated to other causes.”
Dan Gordon and his five siblings were all born in Syracuse. This was part of a larger family that included numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
“Our family and extended family had over 30 members that all graduated from William Nottingham High School,” Dan said.
Pat Horning was born in Manhattan and lived on the lower east side. After her brother Wayne was born, they moved to West New York, New Jersey. In 1961, her family moved to Syracuse, due to her father obtaining a new sales territory.
Dan and Pat met while attending Onondaga Community College and were married in 1967. Pat became a clerk at the Petit Branch of the Syracuse Public Library. She then worked as an accounting clerk for Agway in their corporate headquarters in DeWitt. In 1983 she became the secretary for Rabbi Jezer at Congregation Beth Sholom. After that she completed her career as the administrative assistant for the accounting office of Sandra Spencer, CPA.
Dan Gordon was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (Heavy Equipment Operators) for 20 years, working at major construction sites, such as the Nine Mile Two and Fitzpatrick Nuclear Generation Stations, the Oswego Steam Generation Station, New Process Gear, Upstate Hospital and numerous interstate highways.
In 1966, the United States Navy Seabees were looking for experienced heavy equipment operators to support our armed forces, and the Republic of Vietnam forces, in their conflict with the Communist forces from North Vietnam.
“I enlisted in March of that year and spent three years in the Republic of Vietnam, working on numerous projects, in many different areas,” Dan said. “While in Vietnam during the infamous Tet offensive, I was involved in several situations that have left me with numerous physical and medical problems, resulting in a 100% disability rating. I received an honorable discharge in March of 1972.”
In 1981, Dan Gordon was hired by Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation as the fire chief for their two Nuclear Generation Stations at Nine Mile Point.
Subsequently, he became the senior chief operator at the Oswego Generation Station, then became a high voltage trouble shooter, responsible for the operation of over 100 electric stations throughout the Central New York area.
“After I retired from Niagara Mohawk in 2005, National Grid asked me to come back to their training center to instruct employees on the proper, and safe, methods of high voltage electric switching,” Dan said. “Idid this for one year, and then retired.”
When it comes to volunteering, Dan Gordon says; “My first volunteer experience was helping my parents and their organization in packing ‘ditty’ bags to be sent to our armed forces in the Republic of Korea. In the ’60s I volunteered to deliver blood which was collected at the Red Cross Center to all the hospitals in Syracuse. In the early ’70s, I, along with my brother-in-law (Herb Lieberman), joined the DeWitt Fire Department, where I have been a member for over 50 years, serving in many positions, including a chief officer in 1984, and secretary for over 20 years. I also volunteered at the DeWitt Community Library for 37 years.
“While our children were attending Moses DeWitt Elementary School, and the J-D Middle School, I belonged to the Parent Teacher Association and was a ‘Homeroom Mother’ for many years,” Pat said.
One day while Dan Gordon was at the Syracuse Veterans Administration Medical Center for one of his many appointments, a good friend inquired if he was interested in becoming a driver for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Volunteer Transportation Network.
“I inquired at their office in the VA, and became interested in helping brother veterans, who had no other means of transportation for their appointments at the hospital or clinics,” Dan said. “I immediately signed up to drive. This was in January of 2008. At that time, the Syracuse DAV Network had nearly 300 drivers and 35 vehicles (we are now up to 42 vehicles). The Syracuse DAV Transportation Network is the largest network in the country, overing 14 counties. We bring veterans to the VA Hospital and clinics, picking them up at their homes, and returning them when their appointments are over.”
There is no charge to the veteran for this service.
Eventually, due to military service-related problems, Dan had to give up driving long distances and became a supervisor for the organization, and currently remains in that capacity.
“We also have many office personnel, to handle scheduling and paperwork,” he said. “In May of 2013, Pat volunteered to become one of our schedulers. All our members, whether drivers or office personnel, are volunteers. Bringing disabled veterans to the hospital and clinics is the main function of our organization. Recruiting personnel for driving or office help, is a second major function. The third, and critical function, is procuring funds to purchase the DAV vehicles.”
Dan said; “I appreciate the opportunity of participating in this column which gives me the opportunity to make this plea for the organization. The vehicles are purchased solely from fund raising efforts. There is no government funding for purchasing our vehicles. The Veterans Administration does cover the cost of fuel and maintenance only. We rely on citizens, like yourselves, for funding to secure new vehicles. So, when you receive that annual DAV donation request in your mail, think about us and, if you are able, donate, but return your contribution in an envelope to the DAV Transportation Network, at the Syracuse VA Medical Center, 800 Irving Avenue, Syracuse 13210; instead of using the envelope provided in the mailing. If you are interested in volunteering, you can reach our recruiter at 315-425-4343.”
Dan and Pat Gordon also belong to the Red Knights International Motorcycle Club. The membership is made up of only first responders.
“We promote motorcycle safety and raise funds to support the CNY Burn Foundation, enabling them to send children, who are burn survivors, to summer camp and other activities,” Pat said.
Dan adds; “We also belong to the Navy Seabee Veterans of America, offering comradery to all Seabee Veterans, from every era. I am also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, the Onondaga County Firemen’s Association, and the Onondaga County Fire Police Association.”
Pat enjoys her hobbies of knitting, crocheting and, most of all, being with their 10 grandchildren.
The Gordons have lived in Dewitt for 50 years.
To recommend someone to be featured in this column contact Mel Rubenstein at [email protected].
