An Air Force veteran of the the Persian Gulf War from Loveland and a Reading nun who served in the Navy during World War II are being inducted today into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.
They are part of a 2012 class of 15 veterans from around Ohio being inducted today in ceremonies at the Museum of National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton.
Sister Mary McHugh of Reading, who entered the Sisters of Notre Dame order in 1954, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was instrumental in reviving the first American Legion Post in Ohio for female veterans.
She taught school before spending many years with Catholic Social Services. She has tutored inmates, volunteered in a newborn nursey and worked on a suicide prevention hotline. The sister has worked more than 10,000 volunteer hours at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.
Stephen W. Heck Jr. of Loveland is a pilot and a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Persian Gulf War. He became a science educator and was selected as an astronaut educator in the Citizens in Space program. He is undergoing intensive training in science, technology, engineering, and math - as well as some astronaut training - that will culminate in a sub-orbital flight. He gives presentations on the program nationwide; and is also an assistant football coach and motivational speaker.