Photo: Lynne Gilbert / Moment / Getty Images
Dutchess County is honoring veterans today (Tuesday, November 11) with several ceremonies across the county. The main event, hosted by County Executive Sue Serino and Veterans Affairs Director Adam Roche, takes place at 11 a.m. at the Dutchess County War Memorial in Poughkeepsie. This ceremony will feature a wreath presentation, community prayer, and a keynote speech by veterans historian Craig Marshall. The Poughkeepsie High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) will present the colors.
In addition to the main ceremony, other towns and villages in Dutchess County are hosting their own events. These include ceremonies in Amenia, Beacon, Fishkill, Hyde Park, Milan, Millbrook, Millerton, Pine Plains, Red Hook, Rhinebeck, Tivoli, and Wappingers Falls, all scheduled for 11 a.m. Each event aims to honor the sacrifices of local veterans and provide a space for community members to express their gratitude.
Leading up to Veterans Day, Dutchess County participated in "Operation Green Light," an initiative encouraging residents and government buildings to display green lights to recognize veterans' service. The county office building in Poughkeepsie and the Veterans One Stop in Pleasant Valley have been illuminated in green since November 4.
According to the Dutchess County website, these events are part of a broader effort to ensure veterans have access to necessary services and programs. Serino emphasized the importance of acknowledging the courageous individuals who have served the nation, saying, "We are so grateful to our Dutchess County veterans."
For those unable to attend today's events, a ceremony will also be held at John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction on Wednesday (November 12) at 7:30 a.m.