TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Gathered at the Dutchess County War Memorial in the Town of Poughkeepsie, veterans, government officials, civic groups, and members of the community marked the eleventh day of the eleventh month, at the eleventh hour to thank military veterans who made sacrifices to protect the freedom of America.
The ceremony was emceed by battle-hardened US Marine Corps Veteran and Dutchess County Director of Veterans Services, Adam Roche. Just one day after Roche and Marines around the world celebrated the 248th birthday of the Marine Corps, he spoke to Mid-Hudson News about the importance of thanking veterans. “Veterans Day is set aside each year to show respect to the family, friends, and neighbors who at one point, signed a paper that committed them to possibly dying on behalf of this country,” he said. “That is a tremendous commitment that needs to be respected. Members of the military make sacrifices every day, and so do their families – as a society, we owe veterans a tremendous amount of gratitude.”
With memorial wreaths laid at the memorial by Dutchess County Executive William O’Neil and County Executive-Elect Sue Serino, attendees heard from US Air Force Veteran Virgil Capollari. The veteran took a moment to recognize the Poughkeepsie High School Air Force JROTC who presented the colors for the ceremony, commending them on their commitment to the Air Force.
Capollari told of how the commitment to serving and defending the country dates back to the Revolutionary War when men stepped up in a commitment to break free from Great Britain. “They were fighting for their home, their land, how they made a living – basically their freedoms.”
“That freedom,” he said “transcended generations. Not because it was guaranteed but because over the years, selfless Americans have continued to stand up, raise their right hands, take that oath…to commit to ensuring liberty for all,” at which point he called for a salute…
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