HYDE PARK – The 11th annual Dutchess County Veterans Appreciation Day Medal Ceremony was held at the FDR Presidential Library in Hyde Park over the weekend.
The large turnout of veterans from WWII to present were given the opportunity to visit with various government agencies on hand to learn about programs designed to serve them. A medal ceremony followed that honored Machinist Mate 3rd Class, Bill Gannon and Sgt. Markos Charalambo Peritakos.
County Executive Marcus Molinaro presented medals to Gannon, left, and Peritakos
Congressman Christopher Gibson, a retired US Army colonel with battlefront experience, was on hand to accept recognition from Dutchess County for his dedicated service both in the military and as a member of the House of Representatives. Gibson has chosen not to seek re-election and will retire in December.
“We are so grateful, so fortunate as Americans, to have the possibility of an incredible life that for all of our warts and challenges, and we certainly have those in this country, there is no doubt and we are going through very challenging period, this way of life has provide for the most prosperity and the most freedom for the most amount of people in the history of the world, and to stand up and defend that has been a great privilege,” Gibson said.
Medal recipient Bill Gannon of Salt Point, was honored for his four years of service in the Navy and received the Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Discharge Button, and Cold War Certificate.
Army Sgt. Markos Charalambo Peritakos, a Persian Gulf War veteran from Wappingers Falls, who served from 1987-1995 received numerous awards including National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.
The program was presented by Dutchess County Division of Veterans’ Services Director Nelson Eddy Rivera, USN (Ret) and Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro who reminded all in attendance that “Veterans Appreciation Day is a chance to gather as a community to say ‘thank you’ to the courageous men and women of our Armed Forces, both past and present, who have served our nation and earned our gratitude.”
