A 20-year United States Navy veteran was honored on Thursday for his volunteer efforts toward Homeland Security services to the state.
Michael J. Porter Sr., of Mohawk, was awarded the “Defense of Liberty” medal by Assemblyman Marc Butler. Porter, who is an electrical supervisor with the New York State Canal Corporation in its Utica office, volunteers with the state’s Naval Militia and has performed a variety of port and coastal security duties. His duties have taken him along the Erie Canal, the Hudson River and around New York City.
Most of Porter’s campaigns have been to help the Coast Guard and to secure more boarding inspections.
Butler said the medal points to the effectiveness of Porter and other volunteers for the excellent job they have done.
“Following 9/11, we have gone on and been secure because of Michael and others who are part of Homeland Security operations. It’s something we’re really thankful for,” said Butler.
Butler said because of Porter’s background, as a first-class machinist’s mate, his expertise is very valuable to the militia.
“He is one of the few who know how to handle (watercrafts),” said Butler.
Mary Erin Blair, a state veterans counselor, said Porter is a real credit to the state for his work in active duty, then the reserves and now as a volunteer to keep ports safe.
“A lot are volunteers who travel long distances,” said Blair. “It’s a good reflection on workers of the Canal Corporation.”
Porter said he told Major General Robert L. Wolff, commander of the militia, that he plans on continuing his work with the militia into the future.
“I informed him when I retire, they are not going to be able to get rid of me,” laughed Porter.
Porter recently completed some training on the canal system and Oneida Lake where he and others used radar to navigate through the waterways in the darkness of night.
The medal is a campaign medal awarded specifically to members of the New York State Organized Militia who served in homeland defense missions.
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A 20-year United States Navy veteran was honored on Thursday for his volunteer efforts toward Homeland Security services to the state.
Michael J. Porter Sr., of Mohawk, was awarded the “Defense of Liberty” medal by Assemblyman Marc Butler. Porter, who is an electrical supervisor with the New York State Canal Corporation in its Utica office, volunteers with the state’s Naval Militia and has performed a variety of port and coastal security duties. His duties have taken him along the Erie Canal, the Hudson River and around New York City.
Most of Porter’s campaigns have been to help the Coast Guard and to secure more boarding inspections.
Butler said the medal points to the effectiveness of Porter and other volunteers for the excellent job they have done.
“Following 9/11, we have gone on and been secure because of Michael and others who are part of Homeland Security operations. It’s something we’re really thankful for,” said Butler.
Butler said because of Porter’s background, as a first-class machinist’s mate, his expertise is very valuable to the militia.
“He is one of the few who know how to handle (watercrafts),” said Butler.
Mary Erin Blair, a state veterans counselor, said Porter is a real credit to the state for his work in active duty, then the reserves and now as a volunteer to keep ports safe.
“A lot are volunteers who travel long distances,” said Blair. “It’s a good reflection on workers of the Canal Corporation.”
Porter said he told Major General Robert L. Wolff, commander of the militia, that he plans on continuing his work with the militia into the future.
“I informed him when I retire, they are not going to be able to get rid of me,” laughed Porter.
Porter recently completed some training on the canal system and Oneida Lake where he and others used radar to navigate through the waterways in the darkness of night.
The medal is a campaign medal awarded specifically to members of the New York State Organized Militia who served in homeland defense missions.
