Chairman’s COLUMN FOR 11/9/2017 REGISTER STAR
HONORING VETERANS
We should all think of how different things might be in our world without the service of our veterans. The freedoms we enjoy on a daily basis stem from the sacrifices they made on our behalf.
This Veterans Day, I would encourage everyone to attend the ceremonies honoring their service in their community. Remember, we are honoring not just those who served in the past, but also those who continue to fight, far from their homes, in locations such as Afghanistan and Iraq.
In Hudson this year, Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka serves as the guest speaker. Services began at 10:15 a.m. with the laying of a wreath at the 7th Street Park Veterans Monument, followed by a parade that ends at the county courthouse, where Czajka will speak.
Once a month, the county Honor a Veteran committee conducts services at the county office building to honor a veteran from the past in a public ceremony. Recent honorees have included Richard W. Fenoff of Ghent, Ancram’s Francis O. LaCasse, and George H. Traver. For those who have never experienced an Honor a Vet observance, these are moving ceremonies conducted at 9 a.m. on the fourth Monday of each month from March through November. Anyone who knows of a veteran for the committee’s consideration may call 518-828-3610.
In Columbia County, we are extremely fortunate to have a highly active Veteran’s Services Agency, led by Executive Director Gary Flaherty, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam. The agency currently serves 5,900 veterans, assisting with issues ranging from compensation claims to veterans’ ID cards that can be used to take advantage of discounts from county businesses.
One of the most important things any service can do upon separation from service is to file their DD Form 214 with the county clerk, advises Director Flaherty. This is the form needed before any benefits can be obtained. “I find veterans who do not want to go through the process of applying for the benefits they earn. My response is that if they do not want to apply for themselves, please do it for your family. I see to many families that come for help after a veteran dies and we have to tell that that the veteran never applied for anything and therefore, they cannot get anything,” he said.
Director Flaherty welcomes calls – with any issue whatsoever -- from veterans in need of services 24 hours a day at 518-610-0941.
Currently, the Veterans Agency operates a daily van service to the VA in Albany, with pickup stops in Ghent, Chatham, Philmont, Claverack, Hudson, Greenport, Columbiaville, and Valatie. Veterans interested in using this service are advised to call 24 hours in advance. The van returns following the last appointment of the day.
For those who may be unsure how to express their gratitude for what a veteran has done for our country, there’s an easy solution. When you see a veteran in the course of your daily business, thank them for their service.