BUCHANAN – State Senator Pete Harckham has honored Duane Jackson for his induction into the 2022 New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame and commemorated his military service at a special ceremony held at Buchanan Village Hall, with a number of veterans and local officials in attendance.
At the ceremony, Harckham presented Jackson with a commemorative plaque and a Senate Proclamation regarding his Hall of Fame induction
“Duane’s unique professional career has included public service and entrepreneurship, as well as an abiding focus on helping his fellow veterans of armed service,” said Harckham. “He is also a real American hero in the fight against terrorism who deserves our immense thanks for all that he has accomplished.”
Originally born and raised in California, Jackson served in the Navy aboard the USS Ranger aircraft carrier in the Pacific during the Vietnam War. At the time of his discharge from the Navy, Duane held the rank of E3, Airman.
After his service, Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in City Planning from Boston University and later continued his education with postgraduate work in Washington. D.C.
Prior to establishing his own business, he worked with the New York City Department of Housing and Preservation, the New York City Board of Education (Division of School Buildings) and a private engineering firm.
In May 2010, Duane made national headlines when he thwarted a potential terrorist attack in Times Square. While managing his own street vendor business, Jackson witnessed smoke emanating from an illegally parked and empty SUV, and quickly alerted the city police.
Upon investigation, city authorities found that the car had a propane-and-gasoline bomb inside, which did not explode. The perpetrator of the crime was arrested and later sentenced to life in prison. In full recognition for his heroism that day, days later, Jackson received a call from President Obama who, on behalf of the country, thanked him for his continued service to the city and country.
Jackson has served on the Buchanan Board of Trustees, and now is co-president of the Buchanan Historical Society and a member of the Westchester County Historical Society.
He completed research on America’s first African American soldiers in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, a pioneering military unit in the Revolutionary War, which played a vital and heroic role in the battle at the Pines Bridge crossing of the Croton River in 1781.
