Acclaimed military veterans named 2017 East Aurora Distinguished AlumniAcclaimed military veterans named 2017 East Aurora Distinguished Alumni

Two acclaimed veterans have been selected as the 2017 East Aurora High School Distinguished Alumni.

Dennis Lane (class of 1958) and Miguel “Mike” Saltijeral (class of 1986) will be introduced at halftime of the September 22 homecoming football game at East High, and honored at this year’s Distinguished Alumni Banquet on September 23, hosted by the East Aurora Alumni Association.

Purchasing tickets to the banquet

The East Aurora Distinguished Alumni Banquet will be held on Saturday, September 23, at East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane. The banquet will begin at 12 noon in the school’s cafeteria.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by at the door on the day of the event. 

More on this year’s honorees:

Dennis Lane, class of 1958

After East Aurora High School, C. Dennis Lane served two combat tours in Vietnam, serving as U.S. Army MACV Infantry Advisor to South Vietnamese Infantry Units (1965-66) and serving as CH-47 pilot and flight operations officer with U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Division’s 228th Aviation Battalion (1968-69).

Lane was awarded the nation’s highest aviation award, the Distinguish Flying Cross, for heroism and voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty. In August of 1969, as CH-47 Aircraft Commander, Lane volunteered to fly a 1st Cavalry Division night combat resupply mission in adverse weather. While en route to the 1ST Cavalry Battalion Firebase, the CH-47 was severely damaged by North Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire. Notwithstanding, he oriented the aircraft towards the firebase and crash-landed the huge aircraft within the firebase perimeter. All five CH-47 crew members survived and five tons of ammunition was successfully delivered to the 1st Cavalry Division soldiers who were low on ammunition and under siege by North Vietnamese forces. 

Over the course of 21+ years in the U.S. Army, Lane advanced from the enlisted rank of Private to the Commissioned Officer rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In addition to the Distinguish Flying Cross award, Lane received The Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, 16 Combat Air Medals, The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Bronze Star from the South Vietnamese Government, and the US Army Combat Infantryman Badge.”  In 2004, The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum (NASM), Washington, DC recognized Lane as an Honoree and his name is engraved on the NASM Wall of Honor.

Miguel “Mike” Saltijeral, class of 1986

Michael Saltijeral is a U.S Marines Corps veteran. He received high expeditionary and commendation medals for his service with the U.S. Marine Corps in Panama and the first Persian Gulf War (Desert Storm).   

Their mission was to quickly penetrate enemy lines ahead of their battalion landing teams or division infantry forces, and locate and/or harass any enemy forces; and to determine their capabilities size, strengths, location, and any other pertinent vital intelligence that would be useful to expose the enemy security that could ultimately minimize American casualties.

Upon returning to the area and civilian life, Saltijeral worked for other companies in the industry before deciding he really wanted to be his own boss. “I was working 100 hours a week for other people, so I decided that if I was willing to put the time in, I could put the sweat equity in for myself,” Saltijeral recalls. “If you’re willing to do that, then you can accomplish whatever you want.”

In 1999, Saltijeral with the support of his wife and fellow Tomcat Esther (class of 1989) and family, formed Industrial Fence, Inc. Today IFI is recognized as a leader and a pioneer in the security barrier integration industries.

As a Marine, Saltijeral takes great pride for serving and protecting our country. As an American business owner, he is passionate about securing and protecting our community with American-made products.

Saltijeral is driven to help other Hispanic and veteran-owned businesses succeed. For as much as Saltijeral has achieved both in the military and as a business owner, he understands the true meaning in life. “If I can make my life matter to my wife and kids, I have succeeded my life’s purpose.”