Monroe County Executive Adam Bello proudly announces the opening of the William T. Perkins Jr. Veterans Center at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport

Monroe County, New York – A new chapter of remembrance and gratitude opened at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport this week as Monroe County Executive Adam Bello unveiled a dedicated space honoring veterans — most notably, one of Rochester’s own fallen heroes.

The newly established William T. Perkins Jr. Veterans Center is now officially open to the public, marking a significant milestone in Monroe County’s commitment to honoring its military community. Named after Marine Corporal William T. Perkins Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life during the Vietnam War, the center stands as both a tribute and a resource for veterans and their families traveling through the airport.

“It’s fitting that we name this area for a man who willingly gave his life for the lives of his fellow soldiers. The sacrifice of Corporal Perkins highlights the risks faced by all who serve our nation,” said County Executive Bello. “Considering the sacrifices that our veterans make, it’s rewarding to provide them a space for reflection, family reunions after deployment, and education for the public to honor their service. This tribute to our veterans is possible thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul, the New York State Department of Transportation, our New York State delegation, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, and Congressman Joe Morelle.”

Corporal William T. Perkins Jr. grew up in Rochester before his family relocated to California during his teenage years. It was in Rochester that he first absorbed the values and legacy of service that shaped his life. With a family history rooted in military service — including relatives who fought in the Civil War, World War II, and other significant battles — Perkins inherited a deep sense of duty.

That duty was fully realized on October 12, 1967, near Quang Tri, Vietnam, when he threw himself onto a grenade during a firefight to save the lives of three fellow Marines. At the time, he was serving as a combat photographer, documenting frontline action — but in a split-second decision, he chose heroism over survival. His sacrifice earned him the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award.

Now, more than half a century later, travelers passing through Rochester’s airport will have a chance to pause and reflect on that bravery — and the broader service of all U.S. veterans — in a specially designed space that mixes reverence, history, and comfort.

The William T. Perkins Jr. Veterans Center is more than just a memorial. It’s a functional, welcoming environment designed with veterans and their families in mind. Outfitted with exhibits curated by the Military History Society of Rochester, the space tells stories of sacrifice, innovation, and community. From detailed displays of military artifacts to educational materials highlighting local contributions to past wars, the center serves as a quiet but powerful reminder of the region’s enduring military legacy.

The center also features comfortable seating and meeting areas, creating a space where veterans can reconnect with loved ones after deployment or prepare for Honor Flights — the airport’s frequent flights that bring veterans to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C.

“The William T. Perkins Jr. Veterans Center is a labor of love for the veteran community,” said Chuck Baylis of the Military History Society of Rochester. “The new space showcases veterans’ stories and highlights the significant role local businesses played in supporting our troops with technology and products. Thank you to County Executive Bello and all who helped make this day possible.”

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This new veterans area is a part of the broader $37 million renovation project at the airport, designed to transform the travel experience while deepening the airport’s connection to local history and community values. The funding came through a mix of state and federal sources, including $18 million from the New York State Department of Transportation and $16 million in federal grants.

Leaders from all levels of government praised the project, emphasizing its symbolic and practical importance.

“I’m proud that with the opening of the William T. Perkins Jr. Veterans Center, our community has a space that both honors the courage of heroes like Corporal Perkins and provides an area of reflection and support for veterans and their families,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “In Washington, I’m committed to continuing the fight to ensure our servicemembers receive the care, recognition, and respect they deserve.”

Marie Therese Dominguez, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, called the center “a major milestone” in the airport’s ongoing evolution and praised the symbolic weight of naming the space after Corporal Perkins.

“The opening of this beautiful new veterans area is a major milestone in the transformation of the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport into a world-class travel gateway and it’s also a poignant reminder that we should always honor and never forget the selfless service and sacrifices made by those who served our nation. The heroism of U.S. Marine Corporal William Thomas Perkins Jr., a Rochester native and Medal of Honor winner for whom the area is named, should never be forgotten and this new veterans area will help ensure that his legacy endures for future generations.”

This project drew strong support from several veterans’ organizations, including the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 20, and was backed by state and local representatives across the political spectrum.

New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney emphasized the center’s dual purpose — as both a community gathering point and an educational tool for travelers passing through Rochester.

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“Our brave veterans have made countless sacrifices to protect our community, it’s only right that we give them a space of their own to join together with family and friends and reflect on their service to our nation. This new area is the latest in a string of renovations to provide the kind of airport Rochesterians deserve and I am grateful to County Executive Bello, Governor Hochul, my colleagues in the legislature, and our federal partners for making this project a reality. Named after one of Rochester’s own heroes, the William T. Perkins Jr. Veterans Center will provide a space for education and comfort to our community for years to come.”

Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson added, “It is an honor to have the beautiful new Veterans Center at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport named after Corporal William T. Perkins Jr., who is part of a proud legacy of Rochestarians who have devoted their lives to serving and protecting others. This welcoming, restful space not only provides respite for our veterans, but an opportunity for travelers to reflect on their service and sacrifice.”

The William T. Perkins Jr. Veterans Center officially opened its doors just in time to host its first Honor Flight on Sunday, June 1, 2025. As these flights continue, and as travelers move through the airport for years to come, the center will serve as a lasting monument to courage, duty, and community.

More than a room tucked into a terminal, this new space marks a deeply human investment in memory, respect, and healing — and a long-overdue thank-you to those who risked everything to protect the freedoms we enjoy.

For Corporal Perkins and countless others like him, the echoes of their sacrifice will now reverberate through the halls of the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport — a gateway to the world that now, at last, reflects the heart of its hometown.