Military service took NYSDA members to dental clinics in Korea, airfields in Vietnam and naval stations closer to home. Some served for two years; others built military careers spanning decades. Their stories offer a personal look at the responsibilities, challenges and meaningful connections that shaped their time in uniform.
This Veterans Day, NYSDA is proud to recognize members who served in the military and those whose work continues to support U.S. veterans. We thank them for sharing these memories and honor the service and sacrifices of all veterans in our dental community.
Theodore Aaronson, DDS
U.S. Army Dental Corps | Active duty 1970–1972
Theodore Aaronson began a 13-month tour in Korea in October 1970. He completed the remainder of his two-year active-duty commitment at Fort Dix, New Jersey, serving in the U.S. Army Dental Corps.
Edward Bram, DMD
U.S. Army | 1969–1972
Edward Bram went to Vietnam in 1970, where he was attached to the 25th Infantry Division in Cu Chi, near the tunnels. Along with treating fellow soldiers, he provided dental care in nearby villages and helped gather information about enemy troop movements. His account reflects the additional demands of practicing dentistry in a war zone. “Doing dentistry under dangerous conditions in the war zone adds another factor to our profession,” he wrote.
Barnett Bucklan, DDS
Vietnam-era military service
Barnett Bucklan served during the Vietnam War, spending one year in Massachusetts and one year in Korea.
Richard Chanin, DDS
U.S. Air Force | 1971–1973
Richard H. Chanin served in the Dental Corps at Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas.
Robert Chick, DDS
U.S. Air Force | 1967–1969
Robert Chick served as a general dentist at Keesler Air Force Base from 1967 to 1969, during the Vietnam War.
Cynthia Feleppa, DDS, MAGD
U.S. Army | 22 years of service; retired in 2023
Cynthia Feleppa retired in 2023 after 22 years of military service. Her deployments included Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003–2004 and Operation Spartan Shield in 2019–2020. Reflecting on her career, she wrote, “I’m endlessly grateful for the opportunity to become a better person, officer and public servant.”
Kirk Gleason, DDS
U.S. Army Dental Corps | Captain | 1970–1973
Kirk Gleason served at Fort McClellan in Alabama, in Vietnam and at Fort Hood in Texas. While stationed in the United States, he rotated through specialty training in oral surgery, periodontics and endodontics. In Vietnam, he was the only dentist serving 3,500 men at an airfield, working alongside two flight surgeons. He recalled that the base was rocketed and attacked several times during his tour. In addition to running the dental clinic, he helped the flight surgeons care for the wounded when needed.
Joseph Graskemper, DDS, JD
U.S. Navy | Lieutenant | 1977–1979
Joseph Graskemper served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, stationed at Camp Pendleton with the First Fleet Marines.
Steven Karmel, DMD, FAGD
U.S. Navy | 1985–1994
Steven A. Karmel served in the U.S. Navy from 1985 to 1994.
Paul Leary, DMD
U.S. Navy | Commander | 1982–1996
Paul R. Leary was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island, from 1986 to 1989 and continued in the Navy Reserve until 1996, attaining the rank of commander. He valued the opportunity to work with dental specialists and to serve as a division officer responsible for more than 50 service members. “Always felt like wearing the uniform fit the person I am,” he wrote. Leaving the Navy was particularly difficult for Leary, who described resigning his commission as the hardest day of his career. Two weeks later, he joined the board of the Suffolk County Dental Society, continuing his commitment to service through organized dentistry.
Harry Monastersky, DDS
U.S. Army Dental Corps | Captain | 1969–1971
Harry Monastersky served as a captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps from 1969 to 1971.
Jay Orlikoff, DDS
U.S. Navy | 1969–1971
A Vietnam-era veteran, Jay Orlikoff never set foot on a ship during his Navy service. He spent his first three months in Newport, Rhode Island, in the summer of 1969 before transferring to Naval Air Station New York, better known as Floyd Bennett Field, about 15 minutes from home. When that base was decommissioned in early 1971, he transferred to the Naval Receiving Station in Brooklyn, also known as the Brooklyn Navy Yard. His reflection included a bit of New York humor: “During my time in Brooklyn I proudly fought the Battle of Flatbush Avenue traffic and I survived.”
Othman Shibly, DDS, MS
Syrian military | Two and a half years of service
Before coming to the United States, Othman Shibly served for two and a half years in the Syrian military. He worked as a dentist at the military Air Forces Hospital and later served on a medical committee evaluating the dental fitness of candidates applying to join the Air Force.
Today, his work supports U.S. veterans. As director of the postgraduate periodontics program at the West Los Angeles Veterans Medical Center, Shibly helps address veterans’ dental and oral health needs.
Eugene Sibick, DDS
U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve | Captain | 1984–2017
Eugene Sibick’s service included active duty at Naval Station Great Lakes after graduating from Georgetown University School of Dentistry, followed by service in the Navy Reserve. In 2017, he returned to active duty as the Reserve Affairs Officer assigned to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington, D.C. He retired following that assignment with the rank of Captain, completing 34 years of service.
To these members and all veterans in our NYSDA community, thank you for your service. We are grateful for the opportunity to share your stories and recognize your contributions to our country and our profession.
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