NEW WINDSOR – State Senator William Larkin is the longest tenured elected public official in the Hudson Valley. He is in his 39th year in the state legislature.
Larkin celebrated his 89th birthday on Sunday.
When he retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel after a 23-year military career, he went to work as chief aide to then State Senator Richard Schermerhorn. In November 1975, he ran successfully for New Windsor town supervisor. After serving one year, Larkin ran for the state Assembly, and won. He later went on to win the state Senate seat he holds now, roughly the same district that Schermerhorn held when Larkin worked for him.
Larkin recounted to Mid-Hudson News how he enlisted in the Army when all of his buddies took the oath. He thought he was 18, but later realized he was born in 1928, not 1926.
His military career included his service as a first sergeant in World War II, and in 1948, becoming a second lieutenant where he would serve in Korea. Larkin went on to command a company of 208 enlisted men and five officers. He later went on to command a 1,500-member battalion in Europe.
One particular event in his career haunts him to this day. While serving in Korea as a second lieutenant, his driver, Robert Maples, stepped on a grenade when he got out of his Jeep and was killed. That was at 10:50 a.m. on August 4, 1950, Larkin recounted as he choked up with tears in his eyes. The young private was 20 years old. Later, the unit raised the money to create a library in honor of Maples.
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy came to Germany where Larkin met him while serving as the Army’s project officer. Kennedy treated everyone on that trip as “close family friends.” Two years later, in March 1965, he was send to Selma, Alabama in response to the Bloody Sunday civil rights march.
Larkin later served in the Pentagon, the “crowning” achievement of his military career.
Larkin also addressed a number of local issues. Including Legoland, which he believes is a local issue. But, he acknowledged it would be good for the economy and a job creator.
On the national scene, the senator, who is a fellow Republican to President Donald Trump, said Trump made campaign promises, which he is now carrying out.
“Do we need to smooth some of it, yes, but don’t forget, this man told you in the beginning this is what I am going to do,” Larkin said. Do I think he tweets too much? I don’t know. I don’t tweet at all. But the question is, I would rather someone tell me upfront what he is doing.”
One thing Larkin learned in his military career is respect, respect for everyone serving with him.
When asked if he would seek reelection in two years, Larkin said he is “going to let the good Lord decide what I am going to do.”
