POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and the County’s Office of Veterans Affairs today recognized the military service and life of U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class Stephen John Shumway, a former Town of Fishkill resident, at the County’s first “Honor-A-Veteran” ceremony of 2026.
Raised on a farm in Owego (Tioga County), Stephen Shumway carried the values of hard work from a one-room schoolhouse to the battlefields of Vietnam, where he served honorably as a Combat Medic during the 1968 Tet Offensive. After concluding his service in the Army Reserves, he spent 29 years as a computer programmer for Reader’s Digest while raising four children in the Town of Fishkill. A devoted family man and fixture in his local veteran community, he was known for his dedication to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, his daily breakfasts with friends and his passion for American history. Stephen passed away on Nov. 6, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of wit, perseverance and service to his country and family.
Dutchess County invites nominations for its monthly “Honor-A-Veteran” ceremonies, held April through November, to pay tribute to deceased U.S. Armed Forces veterans who served in wartime or peacetime. Community members can submit nominations and required military documentation for consideration through the County’s Office of Veterans Affairs, with the next ceremony scheduled for May 21. Learn more and download applications at dutchessny.gov/honoraveteran.
