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Decorated WWII veteran adds new honor
The fireplace mantle of WWII veteran Stanley Rychlicki of Caledonia tells the story of the many honors and awards he’s received and they’re still coming. Earlier this month at the 2008 USO Memories Geneseo Air Show, Rychlicki was presented with a trophy for the Best Military Uniform. Issued to him in 1942 when he entered the United States Army Air Corp the jacket is highly decorated with the medals he earned for his four years of service in the Asiatic Pacific campaign of WWII which took Staff Sgt. Rychlicki to Australia, the Philippines and Okinawa. Sixty-six years later, he proudly wears his Army uniform on Memorial Day as he is a participant in the Caledonia parade and at other patriotic celebrations. He holds on dearly to his government issued dog tags, made of brass in those days. "I think I might be a pound or two heavier than I was in 1942," chuckled the 88-year old veteran. Rychlicki was one of hundreds of people who gathered in the tent at the air show for the uniform show. "The tent was packed with people. There was a 91-year old Lt. Col. there and people from as far away as California. When they called my name the tent just roared and a captain presented me with the trophy. Five officers saluted me," the awestruck Rychlicki explained. Rychlicki has earned many medals, some just recently. They include a WWII Victory medal, American Campaign medal, New York State Conspicuous Service medal, NYS Acting General Meritorious Service medal, Good Conduct medal, two presidential citations from Presidents Truman and Roosevelt, the Philippine Liberation, Independence and Presidential Unit Citation medals, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal with seven stars. NYS Assemblyman Dan Burling issued a legislative resolution honoring Rychlicki his lifetime accomplishments earlier this year. Rychlicki will tell you his secret for staying the same size all these years was his job as a pipeline inspector for Arco. Over his 25 year career, Rychlicki walked 20 to 40 miles a day, for a total of 136,887 miles, earning him a page in the Guinness World Book of Records for having walked the miles on foot. The job required him to cross rivers and navigate woods, often encountering snakes and other wild animals. During the rough winters of upstate New York, Rychlicki counted on snow shoes to help him make the trip safely. The shoes are also part of the living room décor. The 2005 and 2008 Guinness World Record Books are on the table. If all of these accomplishments weren’t enough, Rychlicki also proudly shows his 1985 Cadillac Fleetwood in several car shows and has earned 22 trophies. Rychlicki says he doesn’t understand why he receives so much good fortune but admits he is enjoying every minute of it. "I really just want the kids, the young people to know about all the things I have done and learn from it," he commented.
Decorated WWII veteran and Guinness World Record Book holder, Stanley Rychlicki, stands proud with the snow shoes he used to walk the Arco pipeline for 25 years and the trophies he’s earned for his many endeavors and military service.
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