Two Somers Veterans Inducted into Hall of Fame

Two Somers veterans Richard Bertram and Jack Lederman were inducted into the second annual Veterans’ Hall of Fame, which was created by Senator Greg Ball and designed to honor outstanding veterans.

Somers Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy said she was proud to nominate the two men for the honor.

"We sincerely appreciate the Senator providing this opportunity to honor these and other veterans for their extraordinary service to our country," she said.

Richard Bertram, who was born in Mineola in April 1924, has served as a volunteer firefighter for more than 50 years, including with the Mount Vernon Fire Department and the Eastchester Fire Department.

He served in the United States Navy for three years, reaching the rank of Gunners Mate. During his service, Richard Bertram earned the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars for combat at Leyte, Luzon, Saipan, and Okinawa.

Bertram is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8213, having served as Commander from 1996 through 1998. He organized the opening ceremony of the town Independence Day ceremony as town liaison, conducted Flag Day ceremonies at Primrose School, and sold poppies for Veterans’ Relief.

"I am surprised that they nominated me," Bertram said. "This is a great honor and it feels very nice. On the wall in the Somers Town Hall there are six names of men killed in WWII and Vietnam. I am insignificant compared to those men that lost their lives."

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Jack Lederman is a member of the Jewish War Veterans Post 46. He was born in Poland in July 1926. He served in the United States Army Infantry for two years during World War II in the Pacific Theater as a member of the American Division occupying Japan under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. He achieved the rank of Corporal.

During his service, Lederman earned the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge.

The man is a member of the Jewish War Veterans Post 46 of Somers, and has served in several roles at Heritage Hills in Somers, including Condominium President, President of the Tennis Club, and a chamber music board member. He has earned recognition for work done on behalf of Israel Bonds.

Lederman retired as a production manager and manufacturing representative, a career that required him to travel to China, Japan, and the Philippines.

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