Master Sgt. Corine Lombardo of Scotia, a decorated veteran of the Iraq War, has been inducted into the state Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
Lombardo, 48, is a Scotia resident who joined the New York Army National Guard in 1986 after serving four years of active duty with the Army.
“It was a tremendous honor for me to be nominated by Senator Farley,” Lombardo said about state Sen. Hugh T. Farley, R-Schenectady.
She said the honor also recognizes the New York Army National Guard “and what we do collectively.”
The state Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize outstanding veterans who have distinguished themselves in military and civilian life.
Lombardo is a full-time employee of the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs, specializing in media relations, environmental community relations, and photo and broadcast journalism.
She also is a volunteer with the Friends of Schenectady County Public Library, and communications coordinator for the Patriot Hill, a nonprofit organization that focuses on veterans’ reintegration and resource services.
Lombardo said Patriot Hill is discussing the creation of a respite facility for veterans returning from war zones.
During her military career Lombardo has responded to a number of New York state emergencies, including the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in Manhattan. She was deployed to Iraq in 2005 as a member of the 42nd Infantry Division.
“I was there during the constitutional referendum, the transition [of Iraq] to a democracy,” Lombardo said. She said she witnessed the first vote by the Iraqi people.
Lombardo’s military awards include a Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service medals and repeated awards of Army Commendation and Army Achievement medals.
“Corine is an outstanding veteran, an amazing person and a true asset to her community,” Sen. Farley said in a statement.
“Not only has she served our state and our country, she continues to help her fellow servicemen and women by connecting them with information on benefits and programs that will help them return to civilian life,” Farley said.
Lombardo is currently taking on-line courses through the Sergeant Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas. She will spend some time at Fort Bliss near the end of the two-year academy program.
Lombardo is the daughter of Bill and Leah Leonard of Schenectady.
She is married to Randy Lombardo and has a daughter, Sabrina, 18, and a granddaughter, Kristen, 10.
She is a graduate of Nyack College with a bachelor’s degree in organizational management.
Lombardo is a 30-year veteran of the Army and the New York Army National Guard,
She said she hopes to spend 10 more years in the service of her country.
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