Howland Shepherd of the Valley resident and U.S. veteran Fred Kubli Jr. was recently recognized with a promotion to honorary brigadier general.
Four years ago Kubli received a rare and distinguished recognition of becoming an honorary colonel and commander of the 910th Airlift Wing.
On Feb. 3, he was recognized again with another honorary promotion by Brig. Gen. Brian E. Dominguez, 910th Airlift Wing Commander and on Feb. 21, a program was held with an additional pinning ceremony at Shepherd of the Valley on North River Road.
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Brigadier General Brian Dominguez, Commander, 910th Airlift Wing, swears in newly promoted brigadier general Fred Kubli Jr. during a ceremony at Shepherd of the Valley-Howland on Feb. 21. Kubli, 93, a resident at the facility, was promoted to honorary brig. Gen for his volunteerism at the 910th Airlift Wing and the Mahoning Valley for the past 30 years. Looking on is Kubli’s wife, LaVerne.
''I feel honored,'' Kubli said. ''This is a real honor.''
At age 93, Kubli, a World War II U.S. Army veteran and Holocaust liberator, has been a part of the Youngstown family since the early 1980s, Dominguez said.
From his continuing support of the Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS) Wing Base-Community Council to other 910th activities such as the Pilot for a Day Program and volunteering in more than two-dozen local organizations, Kubli is known for putting others first.
"I have only been here a few months," Dominguez said, ''but already he (Kubli) is my right hand man.''
Dominguez recognized that Kubli was not able to accomplish all he has without the support of his wife of 69 years.
"The reason Fred has been so successful is because of you, LaVerne," he said. "You're his soulmate and teammate."
Kubli expressed his thanks and appreciation for the 910th family and his joy for getting to work with the Air Force community for more than 30 years.
"I will do my best to honor this position,'' Kubli said. ''It's been a great experience and I will continue to enjoy it and will make this my number one project."