TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Memorial Day service held on Monday morning was attended by several community and veteran organizations. One of the most notable attendees was Jacqueline Ingram, Gold Star Mother of Navy Petty Officer First Class Corey Ingram, who died onboard the USS John McCain on August 21, 2017, off the coast of Singapore.
Ingram, accompanied by Dutchess County Executive William O’Neil, a former captain in the Army, laid wreaths in the annual ceremony that honors the fallen sailors and soldiers who gave their lives in defense of the United States.
Jacqueline Ingram and her husband Jerry lost their son after the destroyer USS John McCain collided with an oil tanker nearly three times the size of the destroyer at 5:23 a.m. The collision created a 28-foot gash in the hull of the Navy ship. Ingram and 11 of his shipmates were in Berthing 5, below the water line at the time of the wreck. Of the 12, Ingram and nine others either drowned or were crushed by their racks. Berthing 5, where the bunks are located, is a 15-foot-wide space that was reduced to a five-foot area when struck by the tanker.
The destroyer made it to dock in Singapore and Navy divers spent seven days below water to recover the sailors that were killed. The 28-year-old Navy sailor is buried in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
Dutchess County Director of Veterans Services Adam Roche stressed the importance of this solemn day when speaking with Mid-Hudson News. “Thousands of brave men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country and people need to keep the memories and legacies of those brave souls alive. They died so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.”
Roche also spoke of the collaboration between the county and Mental Health America of Dutchess County. “Dutchess County has created a “one-stop shop” for veterans through the partnership with MHA Dutchess. My county office, along with MHA Dutchess Vet2Vet are located in one building in Pleasant Valley to help veterans receive the services they need, in one location, with all of the agencies working together,” Roche said. “We’re here to help our brothers and sisters that served this great nation.” Roche, a battle-hardened Marine veteran stressed the need for veterans to take advantage of the partnership. “We help veterans navigate the bureaucratic red tape to obtain the benefits they have earned and the partner agencies offer several other opportunities to help our heroes both physically and mentally.”
Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Jay Baisley addressed the importance of the holiday. “We remember all those who served and gave it their all, and remember those who made it home alive and the pain they endure day-to-day,” adding “It’s more than just a long weekend, it’s about the legacy of our fallen.”
