Quitting isn't an option for Vic Vereshack. The Springdale resident works as a silkscreener, stays active in local veterans groups and runs marathons. He's also legally blind. Vereshack, 61, took disability retirement five years ago after a virus damaged his retinas. He had worked as a letter carrier in Springdale for 21 years. He now works for Pittsburgh Vision Services, Oakland, where he has silk-screened more than 8,000 signs for PennDOT in the past year. "It's nice to see the finished product out on a highway somewhere," Vereshack said. "I can say 'I helped make that.'" For his work and perseverance, Vereschack was nominated this year for the Nettie Mann Achievement Award, bestowed by Pennsylvania Industries for the Blind and Handicapped. The award is given to someone who demonstrates outstanding individual achievement and exceptional character in living and coping with a disability, particularly in the workplace. The award's namesake died in a 1993 car accident after being named Pennsylvania's Handicapped Worker of the Year. Vereshack also was nominated for the National Industries for the Blind Peter J. Salmon Award. Of the thousands eligible, Vereshack was one of about 20 people nominated for the Nettie Mann award. He didn't win, but that wasn't the important part. "It's a privilege just to be nominated for an award like this," he said. "There are so many people worthy of being nominated." Vereschack, a six-year Marine Corps veteran, served as platoon sergeant in Vietnam. He is a member of the Springdale Veterans of Foreign Wars post and the Allegheny Valley Marine Corps League. A marathon runner for more than 20 years, he's finished 25 marathons. He proudly displays his medal from the Boston Marathon, the only one that requires runners to qualify. Despite his disability, Vereshack said he never considered giving up running. "I just figured if I wanted to do something, I'm going to try to do it and never give up on it," he said. "I'm going to try to keep running as long as I can. And hopefully, that's 30 years from now." As with his work, Vereshack had to adjust to continue running. "It's a challenge," he said. "Of course, we can't run as fast being blind, but we can run as far. You have to be aware of the people around you. That's a challenge, too, but where there's a will, there's a way." Vereshack now runs nine miles a day as he trains for the Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio, to be held in September. "I think running is a challenge," he said. "Life is a challenge sometimes. You have to overcome the difficulties, in running and in life."

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