From the drummer of a worldwide country music performer to a gift of a lifetime to a total stranger, the year 2024 saw plenty of people from northern Chautauqua County leave an impact on the community and beyond.

After moving to Nashville in 2017, Dunkirk native Andrew Douglas saw his music career reach new heights in 2024 as the touring drummer for one of country music’s fastest rising artists, Ashley Cooke.

“I call my whole career just falling uphill,” Douglas said.

Douglas began with playing local shows around Chautauqua County with a band called Rinky-Dink, formed with his relatives. Sean Patrick McGraw, a native of Fredonia, helped Douglas get settled in Nashville in 2017, and after several years of perseverance, Douglas landed the role of a lifetime in touring the world with Cooke.

Douglas was along for the ride as Cooke’s career took her on tours across the nation and beyond. She has toured with country superstars Cole Swindell, Brett Young, Luke Bryan, and Jordan Davis.

“I was very ready for a gig like hers to come along where we got in from the ground and have been able to grow together. I’m super lucky and fortunate that it all has worked out so far,” Douglas said.

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While Douglas has been traveling around the world, it was one small town tavern that played host to a meeting that would change the lives of two local women.

Allison Kwilos and Katie Marsh met at Forestville’s Tavern on the Mall one night as the owner of the tavern, Tracy Hill, introduced them. Marsh was in desperate need for a kidney transplant.

Kwilos, a Forestville Elementary School teacher, decided upon meeting Marsh for the first time that she would give her the incredible gift of a kidney.

“Every day before I met Allison, I had no hope. I thought, ‘This could be my last day.’ I was very down about life, and it’s like she fixed it. She’s so selfless, it’s incredible,” Marsh said.

Over the next year, the two women became close as Kwilos pushed through every checkpoint that could have changed her mind. This past May, the transplant was completed successfully and each woman has made a full recovery. Marsh is even pursuing a career as a licensed practical nurse.

“The doctor told me to go live my life and be happy,” Marsh said. She was told, “This is your second chance in life, go live it.”

Marsh’s family gave thanks for Kwilos’ gift by planting a tree in her honor, located just outside of her classroom at Forestville Elementary School, near the school’s playground.

“The best part about it is my students will get to see it when they go and play on the playground,” Kwilos said.

Marsh also has a niece in kindergarten at Forestville Elementary School. Kwilos hopes the tree will serve as a symbol for both of their lives, not just the gift she gave.

“The tree will impact her too as a memory of her Aunt Katie,” Kwilos said. “Maybe my grandchildren someday too will be able to see the tree, as well.”

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While Kwilos was a true hero to Marsh and her family, a few more traditional heroes received credit for all they do for our nation.

Lieutenant Colonel Bryan L. Tye, a Dunkirk native, was named 3rd Battalion Commanding Officer at Parris Island, S.C., this past summer.

Tye is a first-generation U.S. Marine, but his service record is decorated enough to encompass an entire lineage. After graduating from Dunkirk High School in 1996, Tye served in the Army National Guard as an M1A1 Tanker from 1997-2003. Then, after pursuing higher education, he was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps in 2007. He served as the S-6 Communications Department Head of Marine Aircraft Group 24 in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, then in 2010, he deployed with Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron 463 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Tye later served as the head instructor for weapons and tactics courses and later established the Cyberspace, Information Operations, and Spectrum Warfare Department. He was later selected by Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command to stand up the first Cyber Protection Team for the United States Special Operations Command.

In 2017, Tye was appointed as the Operations Officer for the Marine Corps Cyberspace Warfare Group responsible for building the Marine Corps’ first cyberspace teams. In 2019, Tye was selected to be the Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command’s Operational Planning Team Lead for Support to Combat Operations under the Joint Force Headquarters Cyber.

Tye graduated from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in 2022 with a Master of Military Studies from Marine Corps University.

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Another Marine with local ties was also honored this past year, as Robert Moore was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps in September.

Moore is originally from Utah, where he attended Brigham Young University. He is currently stationed at U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command/U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command/Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, Norfolk, Va.

Moore is one of the cofounders of Range Ranch in Fredonia, which offers equine therapy for veterans and first responders in a partnership with N.E.I.G.H. of Bemus Point.

Moore and Ryan Deas, a Fredonia native, first began dreaming of the idea years ago while stationed together at Quantico, Virginia.

“We both mentioned that we had an interest in helping our veterans in overcoming trauma that they have had from training and in combat experiences,” Moore said. “Given that I have my own, it is near and dear to my heart.”

Moore said of Range Ranch’s mission, “We want to be able to give access to veterans through the VA to be able to come here, to work the lands, to support each other and have support groups here. That was our thought process, to give back to those who have given a lot of their own life to the national defense of our country.”

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The next generation of heroes was also recognized this year, as Dunkirk High School senior Paul Trippy III was given a prestigious honor that only a few dozen students across the nation receive.

Trippy received the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross of Achievement for his Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps service. He is one of only seven students in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and all of the New England states to receive the award.

Dunkirk Junior ROTC commander, Sgt. Maj. Michael Schneider, said Trippy was selected “based on evaluation of his academic performance, his athletic performances, his giving back to the community, and his leadership in the community, within the Junior ROTC program, and within the school.”

A social media post by the Dunkirk City School District stated, “Paul’s dedication, hard work, and outstanding leadership qualities have truly set him apart. We are so proud to have him represent our school and community with such honor.”

Trippy is a leader at the District athletically, as well. He is a team captain on the varsity football and baseball teams. Win or lose, Trippy exemplifies stellar character and sportsmanship. Not just a strong leader with his positive attitude, Trippy was also a First Team All-Star in CCAA Division 1 West baseball and also in Class B3 football this past year.