“You are put on earth to complete a task…you may have already done it.”
-Alex P. Davis
Victor “Hometown Heroes” Banner Campaign
The American Legion James Cooke Post 931 Victor, NY has partnered with APD Memorial to establish a “Hometown Heroes” banner campaign. These banners will proudly be displayed on the light poles throughout the Village of Victor, and are intended to honor and recognize current active duty military service personnel who have graduated from Victor High School, or whose immediate family reside in Victor or Farmington.
Each banner will include the active duty military member’s name, branch or service, and photograph which will be displayed for a set period of time each year that the “Hometown Heroes” program is active.
Program Guidelines
To allow for a coordinated and consistent program, the American Legion Post 931 and APD Memorial have established the following guidelines for the “Hometown Heroes” Banner Program.
Eligibility Requirements
An individual must be currently serving as an active duty service member in the US Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard) or have been deployed on active duty orders as part of the National Guard or active Reserves within the last 12 months.
- An individual must be a graduate of Victor High School
- Or an immediate family member of the nominee is a resident of Victor or Farmington (i.e. copy of utility bill)
Application Process
1. Complete the on-line application and be sure to include all supporting documentation that is required prior to submission.
2. Once the application has been received and verified, a banner committee member will contact the service member or family.
This is a non-political, non-partisan program, solely intended to recognize those who honor our country through their military service.
Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis by the banner committee. Once all available openings are filled, a waitlist will be established.
This program is fully funded and administered through the American Legion Post 931 Victor, NY and APD Memorial. Donations to defer costs are graciously accepted but not required.
Alex P. Davis
Our son passed away unexpectedly on May 4, 2014. He was a gregarious, intelligent, and athletic 20-year-old who wanted to find purpose in his life. Alex, a 2012 graduate of Victor High School, loved everything about school, his teachers, friends, and teammates. Alex was a member of the National Honor Society, played football, was a captain of the wrestling team his senior year and a four-year varsity starter on the lacrosse team. His participation in Boys State, Boys Nation, and as a UN Delegate solidified his desire to “make a difference in the world in some small way.” At Geneseo, Alex majored in Biochemistry and was a member of the SUNY Geneseo Men’s Lacrosse Team.
We thank God every day for the beautiful gift he loaned us.
Bob and Debbie Davis
“Someday I hope to make an impact, because I feel if I can help one person, my life will be full and I will have fulfilled my life task.”
APD Memorial has one steadfast goal…to honor our veteran heroes and support the community at large, in loving memory of our son Alex.
Through his high school participation in Boys State and Boys Nation, Alex developed a deep and profound respect for our nation’s veterans. In a college entrance essay, he wrote, “I listened to veterans share stories of losing friends in the war, the terror on the battlefield, and the uncertainty of loved ones left behind…I stood among heroes, and something was incited within me. “
Over the past nine years, APD Memorial proceeds have supported multiple organizations including Honor Flight Rochester, Victor-Farmington Food Cupboard, Serenity House, Dollars for Scholars, and Santa’s Hide-A-Way Hollow. APD Memorial funds, along with the skilled craftsmanship of Tommaso Romei and the Rinaldi Group constructed a lacrosse wall on the campus of Victor High School. In addition, a flagpole dedicated to the veterans of James Cooke Post 931 stands proudly at the entrance of Dryer Road Park in Victor, New York. His spirit remains in the community which he loved.
APD Scholarship Fund
Two APD Memorial scholarships are awarded each year, one to a senior varsity lacrosse player and the other to a senior varsity wrestler. Recipients, who are chosen by their respective coaches, embody traits that Alex possessed as a student-athlete.
2023
Ethan Adrid – lacrosse
Sam Ricci – wrestling
2022
Aiden Wheeler – lacrosse
Anthony Marcano – wrestling
2021
Alexander Parton – lacrosse
Joseph Centola – wrestling
2020
William Andre – lacrosse
Joseph Theede – wrestling
2019
Edward Boland – lacrosse
Steven Brady – wrestling
2018
Clark Andre – lacrosse
Alexander Sidare- wrestling
2017
Joseph Pogoda – lacrosse
Michael Venosa – wrestling
2016
Tristan Ierlan – lacrosse & wrestling
2015
Connor DeJoy – lacrosse
Stevie Hetelekides – wrestling
APD Sponsors
Debbie’s Reflection After Honor Flight Rochester Emissary Experience/ 2017
On May 4, 2014, just five days shy of the finish of his sophomore year in college, our son Alex died. This gregarious, articulate, fiercely loyal child was suddenly gone, and our world shattered into a million tiny pieces. The outpouring of support was palpable, and standing front and center was American Legion Post 931. You stood by us as we buried our youngest son at the age of 20. Alex left us to pick up the pieces armed only with memories and the hope of finding purpose in tomorrow.
That hope took flight with the overwhelming support from Post 931. Three years later, Bob and I stand in awe… in the power of our community, the power of friendship, and the power of words.
Several weeks ago, I had the privilege and honor to attend Rochester Honor Flight Mission 55. The APD Memorial Golf Tournament raised Fifteen thousand dollars for HFR this year. What I witnessed was nothing short of divine. Eleven World War II veterans were among the 46 veterans treated to a hero’s weekend in Washington, DC. From the moment the veterans, guardians and support personnel entered the ROC airport at 4 am Saturday, to the rousing hero’s welcome they received when they returned, they were shown the respect and admiration every one of these fine men deserved. During our visit to the memorials erected in their honor, tears were shed, memories resurface, and old friendships rekindled. I saw daughters and fathers embracing, grandsons and grandfathers sharing stories and painstakingly taking down notes. I saw the sparkle in the eyes of young navy officers listening to veterans explain artillery prodigal long ago silenced. At dinner, where veterans were given the opportunity to speak and reflect on their visit, I was asked to say a few words. It seemed fitting for our son KJ to deliver the speech that Alex shared on Memorial Day 2013 after he returned from Boy’s Nation. His words remain relevant, and once again, it resonated with all that were present.
Nothing could have prepared me for the intense feelings of pride and privilege as I witnessed hope taking flight in the eyes of these American heroes. It was a weekend forever etched in my soul.