Hanson: “… honor those that
they love”
HIGHLAND FALLS (May 20) — Dozens gathered in The Center of Highland Falls on Saturday morning to witness the unveiling of a special banner program enacted by the Town of Highlands Chamber of Commerce to show appreciation for the community of veterans.
Attendees also marked the occasion of Armed Forces Day, a national appreciation day for veterans across the country.
Speakers at the event weighed in on how the U.S. honors the sacrifices its military makes each day, and whether or not the country does a good job in doing so.
“[Veterans] definitely get enough attention in this town,” said Col. Andrew Hanson, the retiring commander of U.S. Army Garrison-West Point. “I’m just happy that family members and friends honor those that they love.”
“I think the country really tries hard,” added Col. Silas Bowman, who runs the local JROTC club in James I. O’Neill High School. “Maybe not everyone knows how to honor veterans, but they sure try.”
Assemblyman James Skoufis (NY-99), however, does not think the country’s efforts to honor veterans as a whole are enough.
“I think most Americans care deeply about how our veterans are taken care of, but we need to do more,” Skoufis said. “Certainly at the government level, we need to do more, but even at the community level, we need to have more events like this.”
Col. Bowman accepts the check from Modlin
John Dodson, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, was the first veteran to have a banner in his name hung up in the community. He said he was honored to see his name on the banner.
“It was a complete surprise, I had no idea,” Dodson said. “My other half is on the village board, and I am sure she was an instigator of this. She told me I had to show up today and I didn’t know why.”
Col. Bowman was also pleasantly surprised after Town of Highlands Chamber of Commerce President Jim Modlin presented him with a check for the JROTC club.
“It was a great opportunity for the high schoolers to see heroes and what they’ve done for us, and to get a donation for that is amazing,” Bowman said. “It shows the students and cadets that it is honorable to serve in the military, and people are still sacrificing for us in the fact that they are giving their money for our benefit.”
A total of 73 banners are expected to be laid out in the Town of Highland Falls until Veterans Day, according to Maudlin.
