Frank B. Revoir was selected as the 2024 Veteran of the Year by the Lt. Warren E. Eaton, DSC, American Legion Unit 189 Auxiliary. Pictured is 2nd Lieutenant Frank B. Revoir, taken in 1966 in Saigon, Vietnam, when Lieutenant Revoir was 25 years old. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — The Lt. Warren E. Eaton, DSC, American Legion Unit 189 Auxiliary has recently announced the selection of Frank B. Revoir as the 2024 Veteran of the Year.

The mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to enhance the lives of our veterans, our active military, and their families. As part of its mission, the Auxiliary serves as an advocate for veterans; educates our citizens; mentors our youth; and promotes patriotism, volunteerism, and good citizenship.

On an annual basis, the Post 189 Auxiliary membership recognizes up to two veterans who exemplify this commitment to the wellbeing of fellow veterans and good citizenship. The annual award was established in 2021, and past recipients include US Army veteran Edward Tucker (2021), US Air Force veteran Mary Lou McAvoy (2022) and US Army veteran Donald LaFever (2022), and US Air Force veteran Paul Russo (2023).

Revoir was a 1965 ROTC graduate of Cornell University with a B.S. Degree in Food Distribution, following which he was commissioned into the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. Upon completion of his training at Fort Lee, Virginia, Revoir was thereafter briefly stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana and then deployed to Vietnam in 1966. Revoir served as an Assistant Commissary Officer and was stationed in Saigon, Vietnam, providing subsistence to the Special Forces A and B Teams, the US Consulate, and other friendly international Consulates and Embassies located within Vietnam.

Upon returning from Vietnam, Revoir finished his active duty at Fort Dix, New Jersey. During his service, Revoir received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Service Medal to VNSM, and the Army Commendation Medal. In 1969, while in active reserves, he was Company Commander of Company A of the 464th Combat Engineering Battalion in Binghamton, New York. Revoir was ultimately promoted to the rank of Captain in 1971 upon completion of his Reserve obligation.

Revoir’s civilian career included working for Jewel Tea Company, in Binghamton, New York and Barrington, Illinois; Smith Corona Marchant Company (SCM), in Baldwinsville, New York; and in 1972 he joined the ranks of the Norwich Pharmaceutical Company, where he would remain for almost 30 years until his retirement in 2002 from Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals. Revoir’s employment with the pharmaceutical company included extended transfers of he and his family outside of Chenango County, to the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois (1974-1980) and to the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio (1994-2002).

Following his retirement from P&G Pharmaceuticals in 2002, Revoir and his family returned to Norwich and he joined the American Legion Post 189. He is currently the Post Chaplain and serves on the Corporation Board. He is the present Coordinator of the Legion’s annual Memorial Day Program and Veteran Services and is the Master of Ceremonies as well. Revoir has served as Post Commander in the recent past.

Revoir is the recipient of the Lifetime Membership Award from American Legion Post 189; he was the past coordinator of the annual Boy’s State Program for Chenango County and Post 189; and was involved with the Youth Oratorical Program.

Marsha Cornelius, current President of the Unit 189 Auxiliary, cited Revoir’s “dedication to the Post and his help with BBQs, Oktoberfest, fall cleaning, Children’s Christmas Party, and so many other events too numerous to mention.”

In addition to American Legion Post 189, Revoir is a member of VFW Post 2782 in Norwich and currently serves as a Trustee. Revoir is the Master of Ceremonies for the annual VFW Veterans Day ceremony.

Outside of his service to veterans, Revoir is also a community volunteer on the City of Norwich Traffic Committee. He has been an AARP Driver Safety Program Instructor; a YMCA Gus Macker Tournament volunteer for over 20 years; and is a lector at St. Paul’s Church. He has also been working part time for Wilson Funeral Home for the past 22 years.

Revoir currently resides in the City of Norwich with his wife, Katherine (Ryan) Revoir. They will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in August 2024. Also residing in Norwich are their three sons: Frank Jr., Thomas, and Ryan Revoir; their five grandchildren: Noah, Rife, Riley, Nathaniel, and Jameson Revoir; and two great-grandchildren, Joseph and Hively.

When asked what he enjoys most about being a member of American Legion Post 189, Revoir made two comments. First, he affectionately notes the camaraderie and bond that exists amongst and between the veterans, their families, the Patriot Riders, the Sons of the American Legion, and the Auxiliary – referring to them as his extended family.

Second, Revoir states “It gives me the feeling that I can, in a small way, help to ensure that an organization that helps our veterans will be able to continue as a supportive organization in our community.”

-Information provided by the American Legion Post 189