POUGHKEEPSIE, NY … Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has announced the launch of the County’s new “Veteran of Distinction” program, an initiative that recognizes outstanding living County veterans for their military service and their continued contributions to our local community. Building on the success of the “Honor-A-Veteran” program, launched last year to honor deceased veterans, this new effort invites residents, families, and friends to nominate local veterans whose stories deserve to be highlighted and celebrated. Hyde Park resident Ralph J. Osterhoudt Sr., Private First Class in the U.S. Army who served during World War II, was the first “Veteran of Distinction” honoree at Tuesday’s inaugural ceremony, held at Hyde Park Town Hall.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “Our Veteran of Distinction program is a meaningful way for us to thank the veterans who have given so much to our country and to Dutchess County. Our Honor A Veteran ceremonies have shown how deeply this community values those who served, but those tributes honor veterans who are no longer with us. This new program gives us the chance to recognize our heroes while they are still here to feel that appreciation. That’s why we’re beginning with our World War II veterans — members of the Greatest Generation whose stories we must preserve and celebrate before we lose the opportunity. I encourage residents to nominate a veteran in their life so we can honor their service together.”
On Christmas Eve 1944, PFC Osterhoudt sailed to Europe with thousands of U.S. troops to join the Battle of the Bulge, later considered America’s greatest World War II victory. In early January 1945, he and his battalion were transported in cramped French “40 and 8” boxcars to the front lines, where he fought in the Ardennes, the Colmar Pocket and the Siege of Bastogne during some of the harshest winter conditions of the war. He was also among the first 32 American soldiers to enter the Auschwitz death camp. After returning home to Staatsburg in 1946, he worked at the local post office, founded Osterhoudt Electric and became an active American Legion member dedicated to supporting fellow veterans.
County Executive Serino said, “I’ve had the pleasure of calling Ralph my friend for years, so it is very heartwarming for me that he is our first ‘Veteran of Distinction.’ Ralph embodies all we envisioned with this program: He’s a veteran with a record of honorable service to our nation, who returned home to Dutchess County, where he has continued to contribute to his community for 80 years! Though our new program, we look forward to celebrating the service of Ralph’s fellow veterans and thanking them in person for all they’ve contributed to Dutchess County.”
Monthly “Veteran of Distinction” ceremonies will take place on the second Tuesday of each month from April through November, hosted in the community where the honored veteran resides. This year’s ceremonies will spotlight members of the Greatest Generation—Dutchess County’s living World War II veterans.
Speaking about Tuesday’s ceremony, as well as his continued commitment to his fellow veterans, PFC Ralph Osterhoudt Sr. said, “It was great. It was wonderful. I thank everybody from the bottom of my heart. I thank everyone for coming. It meant so much to me. … I keep up with any veterans organization, even the flea market out at the airport; there’s probably 3,000 people out there in that airport. There’s probably not a person of those 3,000 people that would have any idea about thinking about World War II and the guys that died, except the ones that talk to me. And if I talk to a thousand of them, that means the veterans that didn’t make it were recognized, and that’s what I want to do. I don’t want people to forget them.”
Nomination Requirements
Nominees must meet the following criteria:
How to Nominate
Applications may be submitted:
All applications must include appropriate military separation documents (DD 214, WD AGO 53 55, NGB 22, or casualty report).
Dutchess County Veterans Affairs Director Adam Roche said, “Dutchess County veterans have sacrificed to keep us safe, and we are honored to thank them in person and share their stories of selfless service. We encourage our community to nominate the deserving American heroes in your life so Dutchess County can publicly celebrate their service.”
For more information, contact the Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs at 845 486 2060.
