
Pictured (l-r) are Ichabod Crane Board of Education President Matthew Nelson, District Superintendent Suzanne Guntlow, Tiffany Buono and High School Principal Craig Shull. Photo contributed
KINDERHOOK—The Ichabod Crane Board of Education passed a motion at the July 12 board meeting to grant a high school diploma to veteran Michael Buono as part of the state Education Department’s Operation Recognition. The program allows eligible veterans to earn high school diplomas if they left school without graduating.
High School Principal Craig Shull presented information about Mr. Buono to the board at the start of the meeting. Mr. Buono, who died in May of 2021 at the age of 37 from multiple illnesses incurred as a result of his combat service, was born in the Town of Stuyvesant and attended Ichabod from 1988 to 2001. He received his GED. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd. Marines, Fox Company, Weapons Platoon and had served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. Shull said that Mr. Buono served in the Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010 and earned the rank of Lance Corporal, winning several service medals and honors.
Mr. Shull also pointed out that Mr. Buono was involved in this community. Mr. Buono’s obituary said he was “a member of Valatie Rescue EMS- EMT, a Niverville Fire Fighter for 16 years and earlier an intermittent member of the Stuyvesant Fire Department.”
Mr. Buono’s widow, Tiffany, was awarded the diploma at the meeting held in the High School auditorium. Board President Matthew Nelson thanked everyone who came out for the presentation. Read more…