POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County’s
Division of Veterans Services held their fourth annual “Illumination
of the Walkway” event Sunday evening.
This year’s event was dedicated to Marine Corps Captain Trevor “Turbo” Yurista who died in combat during Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2011. Yurista was a lifelong resident of the Pleasant Valley area.
Local supporters, the Pleasant Valley American Legion, Highland Veterans of Foreign Wars and the state Park Police performed a flag raising ceremony and illuminating vigil. The flag, donated by Dutchess County Veterans Services, was raised and all in attendance lit up their non-flammable illuminating devices in honor of Capt. Yurista and other fallen heroes.
Sunday night’s illumination ceremony remembered Marine Corps Captain Trevor “Turbo” Yurista, killed in Iraq in 2011
According to Nelson Eddie Rivera, director of Dutchess County Veterans Services, 1.2 million service men and women have died in foreign wars since the Revolutionary War.
Rivera was almost speechless about the turnout at the Walkway salute to our fallen military members.
“The crowd gets larger and larger every year,” said Rivera. “I could see it when the lights went on which because it was really dark how many lights were illuminated and everything like that and it’s hard to put into words the feeling that you get at this moment that everybody came out and took part in this to remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of us every day.”
Dutchess County Executive, Marc Molinaro, said the event is very important to the county and that this year’s was exceptional.
“I think tonight was among the most poignant: the sun set at the right time, we were able to acknowledge Captain Yurista and his family in a very special way and then, of course, when everyone turns on their flashlights, or their camera lights, it’s a very moving ceremony,” Molinaro said
Memorial Day events honoring those lost to war are continuing all across the Hudson Valley on Monday.
