by Dawn Kane | Oct 14, 2024
Lieutenant Colonel Jason (JP) Pieri was born and raised in Hamburg, NY. He attended school under his original last name, Brinser, before changing his last name to Pieri in honor of his stepfather. After graduating, he attended Saint Bonaventure University. He graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications and was commissioned into the United States Army.
He served as a Tank Platoon Leader in the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 2000 through 2001. He then served as a Tank Company Executive Officer for the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea.
In 2005, Jason joined the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry in Schweinfurt, Germany, as part of the storied 173rd Airborne Brigade. He commanded C Troop in Kunar Province, Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008, where they earned the honor of congressional delegation visits for outstanding combat performance.
In 2011, Jason was one of two Army officers selected to attend the Marine Corps’ School of Advanced Warfighting. After graduating, Jason served as a campaign planner for ISAF Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Jason joined the 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry, serving as Squadron Operations Officer. He was selected as the Operations Officer for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, where he completed the Army’s first Armored Brigade Combat Team rotation to the Republic of Korea since the Korean War in the 1950s. Jason then joined the 1st Cavalry Division in 2016 as the Operations Officer (G3).
In 2016, Jason was selected to command the 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry, from 2017 to 2019. He was selected as the Fort Jackson Operations Officer (G3) from 2019 to 2021. Jason led the Army’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, enabling Fort Jackson to become the first installation in the Department of Defense to successfully complete their mission during COVID. Jason retired in 2021 but continued service as an Army civilian. He is currently the Chief of Plans and Operations for Fort Jackson’s garrison.
Jason holds two master’s degrees from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and School of Advanced Warfighting. His most notable awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, and Combat Action Badge. He is a graduate of the Army’s Airborne School.
Jason and his wife Erin have been happily married for 22 years and have two daughters, Ellie (21) and Emma (18), and a son, Jared (13).
by Dawn Kane | Oct 14, 2024
Gurf Morlix has been inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, the Austin Music Hall of Fame and was named Instrumentalist of the Year by the Americana Association. He has produced records for scores of Americana icons such as Lucinda Williams, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Blaze Foley, Mary Gauthier, Slaid Cleaves, Robert Earl Keen and more. He has produced 15 solo albums which have received global critical acclaim.
Visiting planet Gurf has always been an enlightening experience. After all, this Gurf Morlix fellow – Lackawanna born, Texas honed – has provided us with countless indelible musical moments in the last 50-plus years: his exemplary guitar playing, the many albums that he assumed the role of producer for, his instrumental accompaniment to artists ranging from Blaze Foley to Warren Zevon, – Gurf has a singular worldview and can be both harrowing and heartening, often at the same time.
by Dawn Kane | Oct 14, 2024
Biographical Comments Commemorating Ada Meloy, Esq. – by Edwin Beck, Her Friend
“It’s been nearly ten years since we lost our dear friend and classmate, Ada Meloy. Driving on Thanksgiving Day to a gathering near Bethlehem PA, she encountered a fatal accident, ending a life filled with contribution and service to others. As a strenuous advocate for students, faculty, and the higher education communities which she served; her achievements as a lawyer representing New York University, and in her final years, as General Counsel for a higher education advocacy group in Washington, DC. As a co-founder of The Prisoners’ Reading Encouragement Project, Ada Meloy took on the issues affecting increased justice for incarcerated Americans, a venture which paralleled her continual regard for others.
Ada joined the Class of 1967 in our freshman year, making her new home in a charming, antique house on Main Street. In a short amount of time, Ada became known for her love of learning and her love for her new friends. As a scholarly and gifted student, her mission was clear: Ada would become a lawyer.
At the June 1967 graduation, Ada was honored as the Class’s Salutatorian. And for those of us lucky enough to have been her good friends, we were aware of last minute effects, silently assuring (her) the second academic spot; that rather than becoming Valedictorian, she would allow one of her friends, a boy, the honor – that in those days, a young man’s future would have secured greater opportunities with “Valedictorian” on his resume, than it would have been for Ada. This was how she excelled, even early on as a young adult, as the wonderful and woman whom she would become.
Within three years from Hamburg High School, Ada would be graduating from the esteemed Wellesley College For Women, and in another three years, leaving NYU’s Law School, achieving her J.D. – and on to her journey of profound concern and enduring service to others.”
by Dawn Kane | Oct 5, 2023
Born and raised in Hamburg, NY, Matt grew up on Euclid Avenue right in the village. He attended Charlotte Avenue Elementary, Hamburg Middle, and then graduated from Hamburg High School in 2005. After years of attending camps and training in Lake Placid, NY, he made the move after graduating High School to start his skiing career and chase his dreams of becoming an Olympian.
In 2008 he earned his spot on the US National Ski Team and quickly moved to Park City, Utah to join the National Team to start his training. That winter, he competed in his first World Cup and in 2010, qualified for the Vancouver Olympics. Finishing in 17th place at the games, it was one of the greatest experiences of his life. That same season, three weeks later, he won U.S. National Championships earning the National Title.
Putting all these experiences into words was tough for him. He can’t begin to explain his gratitude for all the people who’ve helped him achieve his goals and dreams. With their continued support, he is fortunate enough to continue working with the National Ski Team and achieve new goals and dreams.
Matt currently lives in South of Buffalo, NY with his wife and son, Marlow.
by Dawn Kane | Oct 5, 2023
LTC Jennifer Jantzi-Schlichter was born and raised in Hamburg, NY. After graduating high school, she attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Psychology and Systems Engineering. Following graduation from West Point in 2006, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army.
Following graduation, Jennifer was stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. From there, she deployed to Iraq in 2007 as an Engineer Platoon Leader in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2008-2009, Jennifer deployed back to Iraq with the 172nd Infantry Brigade as a Company Executive Officer and Brigade Engineer Officer.
In 2010, Jennifer returned to the United States, where she attended Civil Affairs training in Fort Liberty, NC. Following transition to the Civil Affairs Branch and language training in Pashto, Jennifer deployed as a Special Operations Team Leader in 2012-2013 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2014, Jennifer took command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 95th Civil Affairs Brigade and subsequently assumed responsibilities as the Civil Military Operations Officer in 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. In 2015 she deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
In 2018, Jennifer took command of Charlie Company, 98th Civil Affairs Battalion in Fort Liberty, NC, deployed the company to South America and was subsequently assigned as the Battalion Executive Officer. In 2021, Jennifer transitioned to 18th Airborne Corps, supporting the evacuation of civilians out of Afghanistan. Months later, she deployed to Europe in support of operations in Ukraine to counter Russian Aggression. While deployed, she was assigned as the Aide-de-Camp for the Corps Commanding General. She most recently deployed back to Europe in 2023 in support of the evacuation of civilians out of Sudan. In June 2024, she will take Battalion Command of 1-13th Infantry Battalion in Fort Jackson, SC.
Jennifer holds a Master’s Degree in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA and as attended the following military courses: Sapper School (one of the first 10 female graduates), Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Air Assault School and SERE School (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape). Her most notable awards include the Bronze Star Medal (3x), Meritorious Service Medal (3x), Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Combat Action Badge.
She is married to Thomas Schlichter. They reside in Vass, NC and have two sons, Wyatt (4) and Cole (2) and a baby due in December.
