TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Marist College co-sponsored the first Anthony’s Walk on Saturday. The community walk was held to raise awareness and funds to improve the lives of local veterans in need.
The event is named after Anthony Gray, a Marine Corps veteran who was killed in Poughkeepsie in 2020.
Hundreds of participants took part in the 22-minute walk around the campus that was co-sponsored by Marist College and Hudson River Housing’s VetZero program.
Marist Professor Tommy Zurhellen, who worked with Hudson River Housing to start the VetZero program organized the walk. “Anthony Gray was brutally murdered outside the shelter,” Zurhellen said, recalling the murder of Gray. The full account of the tragedy can be found here. “I wish I could tell you that Anthony’s story is rare, but it’s not,” the professor said, adding We’re really trying to tell the story of the veterans out there who are suffering from mental health issues, homelessness, and financial matters – it’s really tough out there.”
Congressman Pat Ryan, a member of Congress for just three weeks, joined the walk. His first bill in support of funding for veteran home loans was just passed with bipartisan support. “I’m really proud to deliver for fellow veterans,” he said. On the walk to raise awareness of veteran issues, the Congressman echoed Zurhellen, a past commander of VFW Post 170. “Tommy Zurhellen is a true treasure – not just for Marist but the veteran community.”
Noting that there are more than 40,000 homeless veterans in the country and an average of 22 veterans commit suicide daily, Ryan said “We have a lot of veterans out there that feel alone, that don’t have someone to care for them and we need to raise awareness of veterans’ mental health issues and housing issues.”
Zurhellen has walked across the country, averaging 22 miles a day to raise awareness of the alarming rate of veteran suicide. Upon returning home, the Navy veteran wrote the book “The Low Road: Walking the Walk for Veterans” with all proceeds of book sales going to the VetZero program. The book can be purchased here.
Participants lining up for the start while receiving words of encouragement from Tommy Zurhellen:
