PENN STATE, CENTRE COUNTY - The year was 1964, Penn State graduation day.
A lacrosse player from Long Island, New York, Vincent Tedesco, was ready to receive his diploma.
Tedesco had big plans. That same day, he was commissioned and went straight to the Army, where he served as a Corporal Officer for the next 27 years.
During his years of service, Tedesco served in a variety of capacities, including Battalion and Brigade. He also received the Silver and Bronze Stars for Gallantry.
Today, Tedesco is 69-years old and he still has close ties to Penn State as an advocate for the Army ROTC program, an Ambassador to the visiting team for the Penn State Lacrosse Team, a representative of his fraternity and a volunteer Lacrosse coach for State College High School.
Lieutenant Colonel Ken Weiland of Penn State's ROTC Program says Tedesco's compassion for others and commitment to giving back is what makes him a Hometown Hero.
"He continues in all his years of service un-active duty and in retirement, to demonstrate those leadership characteristics and values that we try to instill in our young men and women," Weiland said.
But Tedesco says despite all of his hard work and service, it's through giving back that he gets so much in return.
"I just get so much more out of it," Tedesco said. "I feel a little guilty. I'm the one who's getting it. My giving is my way of getting it for myself."
A lacrosse player from Long Island, New York, Vincent Tedesco, was ready to receive his diploma.
Tedesco had big plans. That same day, he was commissioned and went straight to the Army, where he served as a Corporal Officer for the next 27 years.
During his years of service, Tedesco served in a variety of capacities, including Battalion and Brigade. He also received the Silver and Bronze Stars for Gallantry.
Today, Tedesco is 69-years old and he still has close ties to Penn State as an advocate for the Army ROTC program, an Ambassador to the visiting team for the Penn State Lacrosse Team, a representative of his fraternity and a volunteer Lacrosse coach for State College High School.
Lieutenant Colonel Ken Weiland of Penn State's ROTC Program says Tedesco's compassion for others and commitment to giving back is what makes him a Hometown Hero.
"He continues in all his years of service un-active duty and in retirement, to demonstrate those leadership characteristics and values that we try to instill in our young men and women," Weiland said.
But Tedesco says despite all of his hard work and service, it's through giving back that he gets so much in return.
"I just get so much more out of it," Tedesco said. "I feel a little guilty. I'm the one who's getting it. My giving is my way of getting it for myself."
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.