WALTON - For Walton Mayor Ed Snow, public service has been a lifelong calling. It began in 1966 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps, motivated by the escalating Vietnam War. Raised in South Berwick, Maine, Snow felt a deep sense of duty, choosing to forgo a college football scholarship to join the military. He was driven by a desire to serve his country during a tumultuous time.
Snow underwent rigorous training at Parris Island, Camp Lejeune, and Camp Pendleton before deploying to Vietnam in 1967, where he served with the Third Marine Amphibious Force near Da Nang. His time in Vietnam was marked by intense experiences, including the Tet Offensive, a massive surprise attack by the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong, which brought fierce fighting to the region. Snow’s unit also faced the dangers of Agent Orange exposure, a herbicide used by the military that has impacted his health.
Returning home in 1968, Snow decided against reenlisting, choosing instead to channel his dedication to public service into a career with the New York Police Department (NYPD). There, he worked in some of New York City’s toughest neighborhoods, including Bedford-Stuyvesant, Harlem, and East New York, rising to the rank of detective in the narcotics division. The discipline, resilience, and camaraderie he learned in the Marines continued to shape his work as a police officer.
After retiring from the NYPD in 1998 Snow moved to Walton, where his commitment to serving others remained strong. He became involved with the local Lions Club, the VFW, and became a director on the Delaware Valley Hospital board. In 2005, Snow answered a new call to service, this time as mayor, where he has since served 16 years across several terms.
Reflecting on his time in the military, Snow credits it with teaching him valuable life lessons in discipline, leadership, and the importance of community.
“The military, the police, and now politics — it’s all about helping people,” he said. “We are all in this together.”
He hopes for better support for veterans, particularly in addressing health issues related to service like those caused by Agent Orange. Agent Orange was a powerful herbicide used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War, primarily between 1962 and 1971, sprayed over large areas of jungle to remove dense foliage and destroy crops used by enemy forces. The chemical contained dioxin, a highly toxic compound now known to have serious health consequences.
For many Vietnam veterans, exposure to Agent Orange led to longterm health issues, including cancers, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses. The exposure also caused birth defects in veterans’ children. The impact of Agent Orange exposure has led to ongoing medical care needs for affected veterans and spurred legislation to ensure they receive appropriate health benefits and support.
Snow was diagnosed with and underwent a kidney removal surgery due to a cancer diagnosis which he believes was caused by his exposure to Agent Orange.
Snow’s journey from the battlefields of Vietnam to the streets of New York, and eventually to leading a small town, exemplifies a lifetime dedicated to serving his community and his country.
