releases: http://higgins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-higgins-presents-family-of-wwii-veteran-simon-zulia-with
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
This data as json
| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| http://higgins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-higgins-presents-family-of-wwii-veteran-simon-zulia-with | Congressman Higgins Presents Family of WWII Veteran Simon Zulia with Bronze Star | 2013-12-23 | 2013 | 2013-12 | Democrat | House | NY | Brian Higgins | H001038 | higgins.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Brian Higgins presented the family of United States Army veteran Simon Zulia with a Bronze Star and additional military recognitions for his exemplary service in two of World War II’s most prominent campaigns. Also, in a surprise to the family, Simon’s son, Steve Zulia was presented with a medal he never received for sustaining life threatening injuries while on duty as a Niagara County Sheriff’s Deputy. “Simon Zulia demonstrated great courage and commitment as a member of the United States Army and it is our honor to pay tribute and express gratitude for the contributions he made to this great nation,” said Congressman Brian Higgins, a member of the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security. “Simon’s love for his country was matched only by his love for his family and the medals they are receiving today will stand as a lasting legacy of this patriarch’s noble character.” City of North Tonawanda Mayor Robert Ortt added, “It is great to see Simon Zulia receive the recognition he deserves due to his service and sacrifice for our country. It is never too late to say thank you to our veterans. As a recipient of the Bronze Star, I know what it takes to earn this medal and am proud that our government has finally recognized Simon for his service to our nation. We should all be proud of North Tonawanda veterans and Americans such as Simon.” Senator George Maziarz said, “Earning the Bronze Star is no easy feat, and today’s presentation shows that Simon played a notable role in helping to win the Second World War. This is the season of giving, and Simon Zulia gave so much to our country and our community that he deserves to be recognized and honored.” Born December 4, 1925 in Lockport, NY, Simon Zulia, “Slim” to those who knew him best, attended Lockport High School before entering into the United States Military service on July 28, 1944 amidst the nation’s involvement in World War II. Simon completed basic training at Ft. McClellan in Alabama and then went to Ft. Meade in Maryland before being sent overseas. Assigned to an Infantry Unit, Zulia participated in both the Rhineland and Ardennes campaigns, the latter of which became notable as the site of two major battles that helped to define the outcome of the war – the Battle of France and the Battle of the Bulge. Due to its concealed, hilly terrain, Allied generals felt the Ardennes region could not be navigated by armored vehicles and therefore did not need to be heavily fortified. However, Nazi Germany tested the maneuverability of the region, twice using it as an invasion route into Northern France and Southern Belgium. Zulia once recalled a time he was in a bunker in Germany with other soldiers that were wounded and close to death. German soldiers saw them and Simon pretended he was dead just to stay alive. Zulia served in a combat infantry unit as a rifleman until he was wounded in action but that did not stop his commitment to his country. He then became a truck driver and drove all types of vehicles that carried troops and supplies over various terrains. Zulia was honorably discharged on April 24th, 1946 from Fort Dix, New Jersey. Simon’s two brothers, John and Sam, also served in World War II. John served in the Air Corps and was stationed in the South Pacific. Sam, Simon’s twin, proudly served in the Navy and served four tours overseas. Simon Zulia was married to his wife, Evelyn, for 44 years before he passed away in 1995. In the early years of their marriage he ran the Lake Breeze Inn in Olcott and Slim’s Dinette in Lockport before working at Harrison Radiator for over 20 years. The couple had four children, Marina Zulia Fery of Brockport, NY; Regina Zulia Sullivan of Lockport, NY; Steve Zulia of North Tonawanda, NY; and Peter Zulia from Cincinnati, Ohio. For his commendable conduct and courage throughout his military service, Congressman Brian Higgins presented Simon Zulia’s widow and all four children with: the Bronze Star, European-African- Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII. The Bronze Star is awarded to members of the military distinguishing themselves by heroic service while engaged in an action against an armed enemy. It is one of the highest awards presented to the military for acts of merit. Simon’s son Steve, a former Niagara County Sheriff Deputy, was ambushed and shot in the face and upper body while answering a domestic call in Middleport on Saturday, November 7, 1987. After many months of surgeries and rehabilitation, Steve went on to complete Master’s Degree from Buffalo State College and continued his doctoral work at Albany State. He currently works as a professor at Niagara University, teaching Criminal Justice. Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour presented Steve Zulia with the Police Combat Cross medal, which is given to public safety officers who have successfully and intelligently performed an act of extraordinary heroism, while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary under circumstances of imminent personal hazard to life. Niagara County Sheriff James R. Voutour said, “On December 16, 1944, the Battle of the Bulge was launched with deadly ferocity. The largest and bloodiest battle fought by the United States in World War II, it was to become Simon Zulia’s crucible. “15,666 days later and 3,793 miles west of his father’s bitter Belgian battlefield, Steven Zulia was drawn into his own combat zone. But time and distance did not write different scripts for them. They were both wounded. They both moved on to prominence in new roles. Both have made a difference in other people’s lives. “Simon Zulia returned home to Niagara County determined to give his family the opportunity to live the American Dream, a dream he willingly risked his life for. He became a respected owner of businesses and a loyal and valuable worker in his community. Jarred by the sudden end to his career in law enforcement, Steven Zulia persevered, studied and ascended to acclaimed status of college professor at Niagara University, also in Niagara County. “Years and miles cannot keep Simon and Steven Zulia apart. Simon’s gifts of love of family, courage, integrity and sense of service course through Steven even to this day. Father and son, one and the same, united forever.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |