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Join the Board of Directors and the leadership team of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the service of 50 veterans during our annual luncheon and recognition ceremony at Pasquale Rigoletto's, 2311 Arthur Avenue on Thursday, November 10, 2022. Under the Board leadership of Anthony Mormile and John Bonizio the Chamber salutes those who sacrificed so much for our communities and our country.

This year we honor five veterans from each branch of the Armed Services. We celebrate these individuals for their dedication to protecting our nation's freedoms and ideals:

-Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Garcia, U.S Army

-Master Sgt. Chris Devoy, U.S Marine Corps

-Seaman Michael Ramirez, U.S Navy

-Senior Airman Chris Kocovic, U.S Airforce

-Petty Officer 2nd Class David Leich, U.S Coast Guard

Veterans are encouraged to attend and receive complementary admission to this annual Bronx Chamber signature event.

If you are a Veteran that would like to attend, please email: [email protected]. If you or your firm would like to sponsor the event and sustained programming for veterans please email, [email protected].

Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Garcia enlisted in the army in 1990 and followed the tradition of his grandfather who served in WWII and his father who served during the Korean War. Ricardo’s first assignment was with the 94th ARCOM Reserve Unit in Massachusetts. He then moved to Pennsylvania and joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 28thInfantry Division. After a year, he eventually and permanently moved to New York and started his NYARNG career with the 42nd Infantry Division.

While serving with NYARNG, he participated in a number of active duty operations and deployments including Counter Drug Command, 9/11 World Trade Center-Operation Task Force, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Empire Shield and DHS/FEMA CERFP Operation. Additionally his military experience includes working with the Drug Enforcement Agency, U. S. Customs, U.S. Marshalls and the New York City Police Department on counter narcotics and counter terrorism operations. While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom SFC Garcia trained the Iraqi Army in motorized operations and tactics. He also provided ground surface maintenance and was a recovery operator for downed or damaged military equipment and vehicles. He was in direct support of the US Army Special Forces 7th Group.

After his military service, he worked with various Veteran Service Organizations as a Career Coach. Ricardo continues to support Veterans at Hostos Community College where he runs the Office of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, he is the Commander of American Legion Post 1065.

Ricardo is currently enrolled in CUNY’s Graduate School of Public Health, where he is working towards a Master’s Degree in Public Health Policy, Management and Administration.

Master Sgt Christopher Devoy was born in North Dublin, Ireland. He immigrated to the US in 1952 and six months later enlisted in the US Marine Corps. During a 20 year career as a Communications Chief, he rose to the rank of Master Sergeant before retiring in 1973. His tours of duty included support to all three Marine Divisions, Air Wings and Fleet Marine Forces. He deployed aboard the USS Cambria to the Mediterranean and participated in amphibious landings as a Quick Reaction Force during the Cold War. He deployed to Okinawa serving as a Wire Chief supporting 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines in their Infantry mission. Selected for special assignment, he supported Marine Airbase Squadron-31 and led a detachment of Marine providing Humanitarian Relief to Cuban Refugees. He was a Marine Security Guard at the American Embassy in Morocco. He served as the Construction Crew Chief and Wire Supervisor for 8th Communications Battalion, and H&S Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC.

He served as a Career Planner with the Marine Air Base in Beaufort, SC. He was the Communications Chief for H&S Battalion, FMF Atlantic. In 1968 at the height of the Vietnam War, he was assigned to the 1st Marine Air Wing as a Communications Chief in Vietnam and supported Counter Insurgency Operations in Khe Sanh, Chu Lai, Da Nang and Hue City. He participated in Operations SCOTLAND II; LANCASTER II; OWEN MESA; TALLADEGA CANYON; POCHAHONTAS FOREST; MAUI PEAK; WHEELER WALLOWA; BURLINGTON TRAIL and TASK FORCE GALLOWAY.  Upon return from Vietnam, he was assigned to the 2nd Marine Air Wing as the Communications Chief. MSgt Devoy’s final assignment was with the Inspector Instructor Staff, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines in Garden City, NY.

Chris is a member of the Marine Corps League and the Throggs Neck American Legion Post 1456. MSgt Devoy was honored as the 2017 Veterans Parade in Throggs Neck.

Seaman Miguel Ramirez served his country in the US Navy since enlisting in April 1972 until his discharge in June 1974. He was last assigned to the 129^th and 196^th Attack Squadron as an Assistant Jet Mechanic in Seattle Washington.

Seaman Ramirez attended Roosevelt HS until the 11^th grade. He left school to join the Navy but did receive his HS Diploma through classes in the military. After the Navy, Miguel worked with the Policia De Puerto Rico as a patrol officer and also worked in Local 272 as an Armored Car Supervisor

Airman Ramirez is extremely active supporting both Veterans Organizations and the community. He is a member of the American Legion and is currently the Bronx County Commander. He is a graduate of the American Legion College, Department of NY.

Miguel and his wife Stella, their two sons Joseph and Anthony, and their two daughters Mary Elizabeth and Angelica all live in the Throggs Neck Community.

Senior Airman Christopher Kocovic was born and raised in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx. Born, July 18 1994 the Airman was raised by loving immigrant parents from Montenegro; Ljubo and Anna Kocovic. Chris graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx in 2012.

He joined the Air Force in 2014 and was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Assigned as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician, he worked on many different types of equipment. Chris earned his Associates of science in Aerospace Ground Equipment from the Community College of the Air Force in 2017. He was honorably discharged in 2018.

In between shifts at Ljubo's Pizza at Westchester Square in the Bronx he studied at Manhattan College and received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership in 2021. Shortly after Chris joined and completed the Fire Academy in 2021 and is now a proud active firefighter stationed at Engine 48 in the Bronx.

Petty Officer 2nd Class David Leich is the first born of three sons of German immigrant parents, Juergen and Erika Leich, and raised in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx, where I attended St. Frances de Chantal Elementary School, Stevenson and Lehman High Schools.

I signed my enlistment papers to the United States Coast Guard on March 16, 1978, under the delayed enlistment program and entered Basic Training on June 12, 1978, holding the position of Recruit Company Commander and graduated with the rank of full Seaman. My duty stations included Governors Island aboard the CGC “MAHONING” (WYTM-91), a 110’ sea going tug as well as Fort Totten in Queens at a small boat station where I earned my rate of BM 2 and my Coxswain certification. Upon my separation from active duty, I transferred to the Coast Guard Reserve and stationed back at Governors Island at Station NY doing search and rescue where I retired on November 11, 2003.

Upon my enlistment in 1978, I met my wife to be, Ruth Evers, whom I have been married to for 42 years. We have three beautiful daughters, Erika (son-in-law Tony), Katie and Laura. Also, one beautiful granddaughter, Kasie.

Being involved in the community has and is a very important aspect of my life and I have

volunteered in a multitude of organizations. From a Cadet to the Commanding Officer of the St. Frances Sea Cadets, Chief of the Throggs Neck Volunteer Ambulance Corp where I earned my EMT certification. Medical Officer for Boy Scout Troop 182 and Warriors Football. Set builder for Preston Players and all-around handyman for Preston Center of Compassion.

My career other than the Coast Guard was a family business in architectural woodworker,

building custom made furniture; currently I work for Ethical Culture Fieldston School in Riverdale.

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