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The event, held at the Henry A. Wallace Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., according to a joint statement from county Executive Marcus J. Molinaro and Veterans' Services Director Nelson Eddy Rivera, U.S. Navy retired.
Highlights of the celebration include the Medal Presentation Ceremony at 12 p.m. An Honor Guard presentation by the Hudson Valley Alumni Guard will be featured at that time, according to the release. Five veterans will be recognized, a 100-year-old World War II veteran, two Vietnam War veterans and two Gulf War veterans.
“Our Veterans Appreciation Day event is a chance to gather together as a community and thank the courageous men and women of our armed forces, both past and present, who have served our nation and earned our gratitude,” Molinaro said. “This event celebrates the service and sacrifice of our local veterans and connects them with resources available to them and their families.”
A special flag presentation is scheduled involving two U.S. flags sent from the Navy to Dutchess County. The flags once flew over the USS Roosevelt, which has been adopted as the county's official warship, according the statement. Rivera will read a letter during the ceremony from J.S. Reller, the ship's commanding officer. The flags will then fly atop the Veterans Memorial Highway flagpole in Hyde Park and the Dutchess County War Memorial in Poughkeepsie for Veterans Day.
Staff from VA Hudson Valley HealthCare (Castle Point) will be on hand to register veterans for their Department of Veterans Affairs health care benefits and take photos for the Veterans Information Card (VIC).
Dutchess County Clerk Brad Kendall will also be on hand to issue "Return the FAVOR (Find and Assist Veteran of Record)” discount program cards. The FAVOR card entitles veterans to discounts at more than 130 retailers and service businesses throughout Dutchess County.
To get a FAVOR card, veterans should bring a copy of their honorably discharged, full-time active duty separation papers (DD214, WD-AGO, NAVPERS 553, etc.) and picture identification showing their Dutchess County residence.
Admission to the FDR Presidential Library and Museum as well as to the film, "A Rendezvous with History" will be free for event attendees.
For more information, call 845-486-2060 or visit the county website.
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