Alfred M. Kalinowski was a husband and father devoted to his family, his hometown, and his country. He served in the US Marine Corps as a Sergeant during the Korean War. Earlier in 1953, he received the Silver Star and the first of two Purple Hearts for bravery in the Battle for Outpost Vegas on the Korean Peninsula. In July 1953, after stepping on a land mine and losing both of his legs, he became a Disabled Marine. After the war, he continued to serve his country in civilian roles. In 1961, he was elected Town Justice and served for the next 42 years. He also served on the Holland Central School Board of Education for 13 years and was a respected lifelong member of the Colden Fire Company. He fulfilled these roles with integrity, passion, and enthusiasm, and was remembered for his dedication, perseverance, and advice: "Take life as it is, and make the most of it."