GENESEO, N.Y., April 9, 2025 - The Board of Supervisors today recognized retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Barbara Jane Lemen as the Livingston County Veteran of the Month during their regular meeting. Lemen led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance and received a certificate of appreciation from the supervisors for her service.
Lemen was born in Rochester, New York, and graduated from Livonia Central School. After high school, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. She then attended Personnel/Administration Chief School at Camp Pendleton, California.
Lemen was assigned to 1st Marine District in Manhattan, New York, as an administrator. She next completed the Career Recruiting Program and served as a Marine Corps recruiter in Long Island, New York. Her last duty station was the 8th Tank Battalion in Rochester. Barb served honorably from Feb 4, 1980, until her retirement from the Marine Corps on Sept. 30, 1998.
For her military service, Lemen received the Good Conduct Medal with five stars, nine Certificate of Commendations, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation with three stars, six letters of appreciation, Navy Commendation Medal with one star, and the Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon with one star.
After completing her military service, Lemen returned home where she received her teaching degree from SUNY Geneseo. She worked as a teacher in Caledonia, an administrator in the Perry School District, and then served as the superintendent for the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia before retirement.
Her hobbies include working out, spending time with family and friends, and traveling, especially to visit the national parks with her husband, Robert. Between them, they have five children and one grandchild.
Those interested in nominating a deserving former member of the armed forces to be recognized as the County’s Veteran of the Month and to lead the board of supervisors in the Pledge of Allegiance can visit the County’s Veteran Services page. To learn more about local veteran-specific events, please visit the LivCo Vets website.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.