Yorktown WWII Veteran Nils Mockler Named to Veterans Hall of Fame

MAHOPAC, N.Y.—World War II veteran and Yorktown resident Nils Mockler has been inducted into the 94th Assembly District's Veterans Hall of Fame.

The 98-year-old Mockler joined fellow veterans and local officials at Carmel Town Hall in Mahopac on the Saturday before Veterans Day for a ceremony led by Assemblyman Matt Slater, a Navy Reserve officer.

Slater organized the event to honor one veteran from each town within his 94th Assembly district. By highlighting veterans from every part of the district, Slater said, the event "is designed to celebrate the bravery, resilience, and commitment of those who served, ensuring their legacies continue to inspire future generations."

Mockler served as an intelligence scout in the Marines and witnessed the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi after the Battle of Iwo Jima.

"This marks the second year we did it," Slater said. "It carries on a tradition that started with Sen. Greg Ball, then Sen. Terrence Murphy and I'm proud to continue it.

The veterans were nominated by their respective town boards. In addition to Mockler, veterans recognized include Anthony DelDuco (Mahopac), James Apostolico (Putnam Valley), Michael Cairney (Patterson), John Duncan (Southeast), Otto Romanino (Kent),  and Denis Timone (Somers).