Local WWII veteran posthumously honored

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Rensselaer County posthumously honored a veteran on Tuesday. Kenneth Wilson went to high school in East Greenbush. He served in World War II as a heavy machine gunner.

Wilson first served in the African Theater and later fought in Europe despite suffering an injury. He earned several awards, including a Purple Heart.

He returned home to work in a local dairy and post office and raised three children with his wife Mary. His children were all in attendance at the flag raising ceremony and said they were grateful to see their father's story brought to light.

"Because he wouldn't talk about it, because it was so painful, we did not know exactly what he went through, and no one can know," his daughter Karen Wilson-Bodine said. "So it's good for these type of activities so that people can understand and not take it lightly."

Wilson was also heavily involved in youth sports. He was president of the East Greenbush Little League for 25 years and also coached the town's travel softball team.