Dutchess County Vets’ Services Director Marc Coviello publicly thanked fellow service
member “Tom” for coming to his aid during hea
POUGHKEEPSIE – Veterans, their families and members of the community gathered at the Dutchess County War Memorial in the Town of Poughkeepsie Sunday to be thanked for their military service.
County Veterans Services Director Marc Coviello conducted the ceremony
beginning on the 11th hour of the 11th day on the 11th month as a tribute
to Armistice Day that marked the end of hostilities on the Western front
during World War I.
Coviello, a battle-hardened Army veteran, told of a time in battle in the Middle East when a Green Beret Special Forces soldier by the name of “Tom” came to his aid during a harrowing battle after his .50 caliber machine gun jammed, putting his fellow soldiers at risk. He told of how Tom climbed up in the turret with Coviello under relentless enemy fire to repair the needed weapon. With bullets smashing into their vehicle, Tom worked to free the jammed weapon while Coviello looked on in awe at the bravery of the man that came to his assistance. Coviello said he and the other soldier never spoke about the event after and he used the event to publicly thank Tom for his service and assistance while encouraging everyone to thank every Veteran for their service.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro paraphrased a quote from President John F. Kennedy.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter the words, but live by them,” when the county executive said that “mere words are not enough and we really do have to live out a sense of gratitude and if nothing else, today should remind us and their sacrifice should compel us to extend all of them a sense of unyielding gratitude.”
Molinaro also told those gathered that “on behalf of Dutchess County’s nearly 300,000 residents, we thank you for your service.”
Retired General Fergal “Ferg” Foley took to the podium and
said “we are here to honor our heroes, remember their achievements
and dedication and say a heartfelt thank you for their sacrifices.”
General Foley also took time to honor the sacrifices made by family members of veterans by having those families raise their hands and be recognized. Foley credited the older veterans in attendance with being the role models for today’s service members saying that both groups “possess courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty and integrity; all of the qualities needed to serve a cause larger than one’s self.”
Coviello’s closing remarks also shed light on how serving the country, especially in battle, changes people and many soldiers need help when returning stateside. He recognized Adam Roche of the Dutchess County MHA Vet2Vet program that offers peer-to-peer counseling and other vital services that are designed by veterans for veterans. Coviello encouraged veterans who need services or if they know of someone that does, to reach out to Roche.
He said since the program’s inception, not one veteran that has been assisted has committed suicide. Roche called that “remarkable” and said that he is concerned that state funding for the program may be terminated. Information on the various services offered by Vet2Vet can be found at https://mhadutchess.org/vet2vet-resource-office/.
