An Iraq war veteran who went from serving his county to servicing his community has has accepted his nomination to be entered into the New York State Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame.
Senator Jeff Klein announced that Community Board 11 district manager Jeremy Warneke will join the ranks of the hall of fame.
Distinguished Veterans are selected from each Senate District once a year to receive the prestigious honor.
This year marks Senator Klein’s eighth nomination to the Hall of Fame as he has in past years nominated several distinguished leaders from the veteran communities of both Bronx and Westchester Counties.
Mr. Warneke, an Illinois native who is now a New York resident and public servant, spent 14 months in Iraq as a Military Police Specialist with the Illinois Army National Guard.
While serving there, he received an Army Commendation Medal for his distinguished service.
He returned to the United States, graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in Westchester County and then began working on the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton in Iowa before being hired onto the staff of Councilman Jimmy Vacca.
He worked in Vacca’s office for three years, during which time he also became involved in helping fellow veterans with various problems.
In December of 2010 he was unanimously selected to become the fourth district manager of Community Board 11, which serves the communities of Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Van Nest, Olinville, Allerton and Pelham Gardens.
Warneke is a resident of the Pelham Parkway community and also a member of the Theodore Korony Post of the American Legion #253 and the Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America.
“I’m pleased to nominate someone of Jeremy’s character and qualifications,” said Senator Klein. “Jeremy served our country overseas and when he came back home, he followed with a career in public service assisting his fellow Bronxites. I believe he’s an excellent addition to the Hall of Fame.”
“I am very moved to have been chosen by my state senator to accept the award. I’m still not sure I deserve it. There are too many, who have come before, too many who will never be as lucky as I was to come home in one piece,” said Warneke.
