Baldwinsville, NY— Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will join postal officials and community leaders at a formal ceremony in Baldwinsville to rededicate the Baldwinsville Post Office in honor of fallen local military hero, Corporal Kyle Schneider, on Monday, May 13.

The 3 pm ceremony will be conducted in the auditorium of Baker High School, 29 East Oneida Street, in Baldwinsville.   The program is free and open to the public.  

Senator Gillibrand authored legislation in 2012 to designate the Postal Service located at 26 East Genesee Street in Baldwinsville as the “Corporal Kyle Schneider Post Office Building.” 

Sponsored in the House by then-Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle, the legislation was signed by the President on December 28, 2012 as Public Law 112-224.

Corporal Schneider, a 2006 graduate of Baker High School, joined the US Marine Corps in March 2008.    In May 2010 Corporal Schneider volunteered for, and was transferred to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 3rd Platoon. In January 2011 he was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the II Marine Expeditionary Force.  He operated with his platoon out of Patrol Base Amoo and Patrol Base Hanjar in the Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. 

He survived a direct IED blast while on patrol in May 2011. After care for his injuries and observation at FOB Leatherneck, Corporal Schneider insisted he be sent back to his combat outpost in Sangin. He would not leave his men to whom he was devoted, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

Corporal Schneider was later killed in action on June 30, 2011, heroically protecting his men.

Cynthia Foley, Postmaster of Baldwinsville, will host the program to rededicate the Post Office.  Speakers will include Senator Gillibrand and former Congresswoman Buerkle along with Captain Glenn Baker, Company Commander for Cpl. Kyle Schneider, and Commandant Ron Farewell with the Greater Syracuse Marine Corps League.  

David Mastroianni, acting District Manager for the Postal Service’s Albany District and a Marine Corps veteran, will speak for the Postal Service.  Rob Schroeder, Baldwinsville city letter carrier and Navy veteran, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance on behalf of the 49 employees of the Baldwinsville Post Office.

Rick Schneider, Corporal Schneider’s father, will offer remarks for the family. Pastor Richard Yost, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Clay, will provide blessings. 

Musical performances will be provided by Jackie Schneider-Revette, great-aunt of Kyle Schneider, Sean Honsinger, first recipient of the Corporal Kyle R. Schneider Memorial Scholarship and the Baker High School Concert Choir who will debut “Remember My Name in honor of Corporal Kyle R. Schneider,” with words and music by Kerryanna Kershner and John Armstrong.

Presenting the colors for the ceremony will be representatives of the US Marine Corps, the Greater Syracuse Marine Corps League and the Albert Glen Richardson VFW Post 153 and Vernice Suttle American Legion Post 113, both of which are located in Baldwinsville.   The Patriot Guard Riders will also present colors. 

All attendees for the event are asked to use the Oneida Street Please use Oneida Street Main Entrance of Baker High School and proceed to the rear of the building for Auditorium parking. Guests enter at Door 12.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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