On this Veterans Day 2007, I would like to pay tribute to all those from Oneida County who served their country in the Armed Forces. I especially wish to honor the memory of JOSEPH (JOE) GENOVESE, son of the late Peter and Carmella Genovese, who was a resident of Rome, NY. He graduated from RFA in June of 1943. Joe was drafted into the Army on 20 Sept 1943 and gave his life in Italy in October of 1944. He was my best friend. A mutual friend who also served in Italy has written about Joe as follows: "When in 1944 I learned he was in the 88th Division on our right, I started trying to contact him. Both Divisions were in Montecatine just before Christmas,'44 and I went looking for him. All I remember was that he was a medic in the 3rd Battalion, but don't remember which regiment. I finally got his outfit and talked to his Sergeant. He was well liked, and very brave. What happened was some people were severely wounded, and he was helping them back to the aid station, although he didn't have to. On the way they were shelled, nearly all were killed, Joe among them." GMFreeman Lest We Forget