It’s time once again for our Hometown Hero, brought to you by Batavia Downs gaming. This Week’s Hometown Hero is from West Seneca, NY. It’s Air Force Staff Sergeant Michael “Odie” O’Dierno!

Michael joined the Airforce in 2008 while following the footsteps of his father Vinny O’Dierno. He started out as a Security Policeman however, shortly after joining he realized his true passion was in working with weapons and instructing others on their use. He became a Combat Arms Instructor with the 914th Security Forces Squadron and showed passion in all of the classes he instructed, always leaving his students more informed and better prepared then when he started. “Odie” assisted in the instruction and qualification in firearms of everyone on the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

Odie had recently finished training for an upcoming deployment with his unit.

Unfortunately after that training and while at home waiting for the day to leave, Staff Sergeant Michael “Odie” O’Dierno passed away unexpectedly due to cardiac arrest. Staff Sergeant O’Dierno leaves behind his wife Amanda, his son Giovanni and his daughter Michela. He is also survived by his parents Vincent and Michelle O’Dierno as well as family and friends.

His nomination describes “Odie” as the person you would picture when speaking of the military, he loved his country. He loved his family. He loved military life and all those with whom he came into contact with. Today (1-8-16) is “Odie’s” funeral.

 

Words cannot describe how much Staff Sergeant O’Dierno has done for our country and we are forever grateful. Thank you will never feel like enough for this week’s Hometown Hero and his family. But this week, we would like to remember him and thank him for his service.

If you would like to nominate your own Hometown Hero, click the button below. We like to honor both active duty and veteran heroes from right here in Western New York.

This week, we remember Staff Sergeant Michael “Odie” O’Dierno and say thank you to his family - our Hometown Hero of the week!

 

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