November 11, 2022
In honor of Veterans Day, we express our deep gratitude to all current and former members of the United States Armed Forces. We are extremely proud to recognize members of our Twin Rivers Paper team who have served. We thank you. We salute you. We honor you!
Air Force
Ken Gendreau – Environmental, Health & Safety Maintenance Representative
Ken served in the Air Force for four years. After basic training at Lackland Airforce Base, San Antonio, Tex., he attended aircraft welding school in Rantoul, Ill. Ken served as an F-4 Wild Weasel Aircraft Welder at George Air Force Base in Victorville, Calif.
Paul Michaud – Catalog Mill, Beater Engineer
Paul served from 1985 to 1992 in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Just Cause, USAF Security Police Academy Lakeland AFB, Tex., Air Base Ground Defense Training, Camp Bullis Tex., Advanced Reconnaissance Training, Offutt AFB Neb., Security Forces Close Precision Engagement Team Member, 42nd Security Police Squadron, Loring AFB Maine, USAF Operations of Special Investigations, Quantico Va., 42nd Bomb Wing Honor Guard Member, Loring AFB Maine, Secondary AFSC, Heavy Equipment Operator, and 42nd CES Loring AFB Maine. Paul was honorably discharged on June 20, 1992.
Jason Querze – Customer Service/Transportation Manager
As Security Police in the USAF, Jason served from 1988 to 1992. He proved security for priority A resources for both missiles and aircraft and also for a Russian dignitary that was visiting U.S. bases. Jason participated on a 20-man team that competed in the military version of the Olympics, which included Strategic Air Command bases from around the country, competing against one another to determine who was the best in obstacle course, firing range, tactical exercise, and a live scenario.
Army
Charles Blanchette – Diagnostic Technician, Maintenance Department
In 1979, Charles completed his Basic and Military Police training at Fort McClellan, Ala., followed by Jump School at Fort Benning, Ga. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Military Police Unit at Fort Bragg, N.C. He had the opportunity to participate in various trainings and events which included amphibious warfare in Virginia, winter warfare in Alaska, Reforger exercise in Germany, joint exercise in Key West Fla., and exhibition jump in Pennsylvania. “It was an Honor to serve my country and am proud of the young men and women to give of themselves to fight for the freedoms that we continue to fight to hold on to. USA!”
Chris Braley – Environmental, Health & Safety Representative
Chris served in the Army for eight years, including four years of Active Duty and four in the Reserves. Chris enlisted in 1996 and completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He was stationed for his entire enlistment at Fort Hood, Tex., completing his service as a Unit Armorer and Battalion Commander Driver.
Brian Cyr – Maintenance Scheduler
Brian served in the Army from 1986 to 1996. He was an ADA Operations & Intelligence Operator (16H) from 1986 to 1989 for Hawk Missiles. Brian’s proficiencies included encoding and decoding messages and passing messages to subordinate units within four minutes after time of receipt.
Cedric Gendreau – Customer Service Representative
Cedric served in the Army for four years and worked with the Patriot Missile Launcher system to eliminate aerial threats such as aircraft and other missiles. He attended basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. and upon graduation, was stationed in Suwon, South Korea as well as Fort Hood, Tex. with a deployment to Kuwait. His responsibilities included missile maintenance, launching station maintenance, and joint training exercises with allied military forces.
Steve St. Jarre – Instrumentation Technician
Steve was trained in Cryptgraphic systems communication and electronics repair and spent most of his service time attached to the U.S. Army 1st SOG performing support duties with the 1st Special Operations Group out of Fort Lewis, Wash. He also served as part of the follow up service group to secure the remaining personnel in Granada after that country’s military conflict. Steve spent a year as part of the 2nd Infantry Division in Camp Casey, Korea. Steve was honored as the Distinguished Honor Graduate from Basic Training, Awarded soldier of the Month, then Soldier of the Quarter while in Korea.
Army & National Guard
Kyle Vachon – Electrician
Kyle served in the Army and National Guard for ten years, including three and a half years in Army active duty as a Cavalry Scout and as a Vertical Engineer Electrician in the National Guard for six and half years. He was on tour of duty in Korea, two years at Fort Riley, and active duty in Kansas. He is currently with the 185th Engineer Support Company in Presque Isle, Maine.
Marines
John Garcia – Electrical Engineer, New York
John is on active-duty training with the United States Marine Corps.
Nick Guglielmo – Product Development Technologist
Nick served in the Marine Corps from 1993 to 1997.
Alton Martin – Director of Talent Management
Al served in the Marines from 1976 to 1980. He participated in the Summer Marine Corps Platoon Leaders’ Class (PLC) Program in 1973 and 1975 in Quantico, Va., and received a commission upon college graduation in 1976. Al served on active duty with the 1st Marine Division as a Communications/Electronics Officer with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines and later served as Director of the Field Skills Training (FST) Communications and Electronics School at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Gary A. Pelletier – Millwright
Gary served in the Marine Corps from 1980 to 1983 as a Combat Engineer and Corporal.
National Guard
Curtis Daigle – Catalog Winder Helper
Curtis served for 12 years in the National Guard.
Michael Ross – Pipe Fitter
Michael served as a member of the Army National Guard from 1985 to 1993. His first MOS (military occupational specialty) was Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, followed by First Cook, and Air Defense Artillery Crew Chief. Michael received an Honorable Discharge from the Army National Guard as an E-5 Sergeant.
James Theriault – Back Tender, #8 Paper Machine
James served in the National Guard for 19 years, joining on April 22, 2002. He was deployed to Iraq 2006-2007 with the 3rd 172nd Mountain Infantry. James was activated for four separate disaster relief missions.
Richard Wark – Safety Manager
Richard served in the National Guard for 11 years with the 152nd Field Artillery.
Navy
John Bates – Director of NY Operations
John served from 1992 to 2012 as a Navy Nuclear Engineer in the Submarine Force and completed training as a Nuclear Engineering Laboratory Technician and Machinist Mate. He also served on USS Philadelphia SSN-690, USS La Jolla SSN-701, USS Miami SSN-755, USS Pittsburgh SSN-720 and completed seven overseas deployments in support of national security. In addition, John served two tours at Nuclear Power Training Unit Ballston Spa as an instructor and completed his career as an Engineering Department Master Chief.
Bill Batte – Information Technology System Administrator
Bill served in the Navy from 1988 to 1992. He was stationed in Staten Island, N.Y., serving as a Gunners Mate Missile Technician on MK-41 Vertical Launching System on the USS Normandy (CG-60), a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser. As a crew member onboard the USS Normandy when it was commissioned on December 9, 1989, Bill is a “plank owner.” On December 28, 1990, the USS Normandy was the first warship since 1945 to go to war on its maiden cruise. Bill is a Veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
