For More Information Contact:
Colleen Pillus, Communications Director (845) 486-2000 cpillus@dutchessny.gov
Poughkeepsie … In his 2020 Executive Budget, released earlier this week, County Executive Marc Molinaro has allocated additional funding for programs and services that benefit local veterans, including a fund to provide wrap-around emergency assistance to homeless veterans; collaborative outreach to veterans involved in the criminal justice system, as well as peer-to-peer services, including other initiatives.
As Veterans Day approaches, there will be numerous ceremonies and events across the county to celebrate and express gratitude to our local veterans, including the County’s annual ceremony at the Dutchess County War Memorial on Monday, November 11th, at 11 a.m.
County Executive Molinaro said, “For generations, brave men and women have selflessly sacrificed to safeguard the liberties we hold so dear, and Dutchess County will long remember their service. Our county will never waver in its duty to our veterans, and my 2020 budget continues Dutchess’ support for those whose courageous service has assured us the freedom we have enjoyed since our nation’s founding. Dutchess County remains steadfast in our pledge to protect our local veterans, and this Executive Budget bolsters our commitment to those who have served.”
Among the various initiatives in the 2020 Executive Budget to enhance the lives of local veterans:
• $20,000 for the establishment of the Tommy Zurhellen Fund, named in honor of Marist College professor, Navy veteran and Poughkeepsie VFW Post 170 Commander Thomas Zurhellen, who walked from Portland, Ore., to Poughkeepsie earlier this year to raise awareness and money to combat the plight of veteran homelessness, mental illness and suicide. The fund will provide assistance to veterans in need, helping them pay for rent, electric bills, car repairs and the like. The fund's purpose is to address emergencies, keep veterans from becoming homeless, and support them as they reintegrate into their local communities.
• Building on the Division of Veterans’ Services’ work to support veterans involved with the criminal justice system, the Office of Probation and Community Corrections will implement a protocol designed to connect justice-involved veterans with benefits and services for which they are entitled in an effort to ensure that their unique needs are being met. This practice will be developed in conjunction with the Dutchess County Department of Veteran Services along with the Vet2Vet Peer Services Program at Mental Health America.
In continued appreciation for the courageous servicemembers who have protected our nation, County Executive Molinaro and Division of Veterans’ Services Marc Coviello invite residents to participate in the aforementioned ceremony at the Dutchess County War Memorial on Monday, November 11th, at 11 a.m. The Dutchess County War Memorial is located at John K. Rinaldi Memorial Park at the intersection of Raymond Avenue and Main Street in the Town of Poughkeepsie, and the event will gather local veterans from several eras and will include an invocation, presentation of colors, a benediction and a wreath presentation by County Executive Molinaro.
County Executive Molinaro and Director Coviello encourage Dutchess County residents to celebrate local veterans by participating in one or more of the numerous Veterans Day events planned across the county.
The Dutchess County Division of Veterans Services reached out to local municipalities and community organizations and has compiled a listing of events taking place on or around Veterans Day. The event listing follows below with contact information provided for additional inquiries.
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Veterans Day Community Observances
(Based on information provided by municipalities and community organizations)
Listed by date, then alphabetically by municipality
Town of Poughkeepsie:
Saturday, November 2, 2019 @ 2:00 PM
Ceremony and Exhibit
Location: VFW Post 170, 1 Violet Avenue
Hosted by: VFW Post 170
Point of Contact: Tommy Zurhellen 845-505-4280 or 845-452-5407
Castle Point VA Hospital:
Wednesday, November 06, 2019 @ 2:00 PM
Ceremony
Location: Castle Point Campus, Multi-Purpose Room #100
Point of Contact: Yvette Rodriguez @ 845-831-2000 ext. 5135
East Fishkill:
Friday, November 08, 2019 @ 7:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: John Jay High School, 2012 NY Route 52
Hosted by: John Jay High School and American Legion Post 1758
Point of Contact: Jim Reynolds @ 845-221-7273
Lagrange:
Friday, November 08, 2019 @ 1:30 PM
Ceremony
Location: Noxon Road Elementary School, 4 Old Noxon Road
Hosted by: Noxon Road Elementary School and American Legion Post 1758
Point of Contact: Jim Reynolds @ 845-221-7273
Lagrange:
Friday, November 08, 2019 @ 7:30 AM
Ceremony
Location: Union Vale Middle School, 1657 E. Noxon Road
Hosted by: Union Vale Middle School
Point of Contact: Principal Scott Wood @ 845-223-8624
For reservation contact Ed O’Connor @ eoconnor@acsdny.org
City of Poughkeepsie:
Sunday, November 10, 2019 @ 3:00 PM
Ceremony
Location: City Hall, 3rd Floor
Hosted by: City of Poughkeepsie and Lafayette American Legion Post #37
Point of Contact: Jacquemae Perrotta @ 845-452-5960
Amenia:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: Square War Memorial, 4958 Route 22
Hosted by: VFW Post #5444 and Town Officials
Point of Contact: Vicki Doyle @ 845-489-7826
Beacon:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: Memorial Building, 413 Main Street
Hosted by: VFW Post # 666
Guest Speaker: Marikay Satryano
Point of Contact: Harold Delamater @ 845-337-6509 or 845-297-8865
East Fishkill:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 7:00 AM
Flag Display
Location: 799 Rte. 82
Hosted by: Manny Beacon American Legion Post 1758
Point of Contact: Jim Reynolds @ 845-221-7273
Town of Fishkill:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: All Sport, 17 Old Main Street
Hosted by: All Sport Health and Fitness
Point of Contact: Barbara Dell’Orso and Tim Winters @ 845-896-5678
Village of Fishkill:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: Veterans Monument, corner of Main Street and Broad Street
Hosted by: Village of Fishkill
Point of Contact: Angela Arasim, Village Clerk @ 845-897-4430
Hyde Park:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 10:45 AM
Ceremony
Location: Hyde Park Veterans’ Memorial, 4383 Albany Post Road
Hosted by: Hyde Park American Legion Post #1303
Point of Contact: Michael Athanas @ 845-233-5999
Milan:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: Milan Town Hall, 20 Wilcox Circle
Hosted by: Milan Town Board
Point of Contact: William Gallagher @ 845-758-5133 ext 2
Millbrook:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: Veterans’ Green, in front of Millbrook Fire House
Hosted by: Millbrook VFW Post #9008
Point of Contact: Lonn Moore @ 845-392-4911
Millerton:
Monday November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: Veterans Park, at the intersection of Main Street and Dutchess Avenue
Hosted by: Millerton American Legion Post #178
Point of Contact: Sean M. Klay @ 518-929-3624
Pine Plains:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: American Legion Hall, 9 N. Main Street
Hosted by: Pine Plains VFW Post #5519 and AL Post #426
Point of Contact: Robert Clinch @ 518-821-7450
Town of Poughkeepsie:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: Dutchess County War Memorial, Raymond Avenue and Main Street
Hosted by: Dutchess County Veterans’ Services
Point of Contact: Marc Coviello @ 845-486-2060
Red Hook:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 6:00 PM
Ceremony
Location: Red Hook Veterans Memorial Park, North Broadway
Hosted by: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7765
Point of Contact: William Moore @ 845-758-8175 or 845-758-6212
Rhinebeck:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: Rhinebeck Cemetery, corner of Route 9 South and Mill Road
Hosted by: Women’s Auxiliary and Montgomery American Legion Post #429
Point of Contact: Dennis McGuire @ 845-656-1839
Tivoli:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: Legion Post #524, 88 Broadway
Hosted by: Harris Smith American Legion Post #524
Point of Contact: Thomas Mabie @ 845-758-1330 or 845-417-4573
Wappinger:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 1:00 PM
Ceremony
Location: Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road
Hosted by: Town of Wappinger Recreation Department
Point of Contact: Jessica Fulton or Donna Lenhart @ 845-297-0720
Wappingers Falls:
Monday, November 11, 2019 @ 11:00 AM
Ceremony
Location: Major Joseph McDonald MIA/POW Park, East Main Street
Hosted by: J.M. Goring – WM. Hurtz American Legion Post #427 and VFW Post #5913
Point of Contact: Raymond C. Chase Jr. @ 845-297-2943 or 845-297-6777
Hyde Park:
November 22, 23, 24, 2019
Ceremony/Reception
Location: FDR Presidential Library and Museum, Wallace Center
7th Annual Veteran Arts Showcase @ The Gallery will be open Friday 5:30-8:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM -8:30 PM and Sunday 10 AM-4PM
Hosted by: VETFAMSA, Orange County NY Arts Council, FDR Presidential Library and Museum
Point of Contact: George Laws @ 914-522-5518
