Military veterans honored during event at FDR site
The 11th annual Dutchess County Veterans Appreciation Day and Medal Ceremony was held over the weekend at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library.
Veterans from the World War II era to the present were able to meet with representatives from various government agencies to learn about programs designed to serve them, and the medal ceremony honored Navy Machinist Mate 3rd Class Bill Gannon and Army Sgt. Markos Charalambo Peritakos.
U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, a retired Army colonel, was on hand to accept recognition from Dutchess County for his dedicated service both in the military and as a member of the House of Representatives.
“We are so grateful, so fortunate as Americans to have the possibility of an incredible life that ... has provided for the most prosperity and the most freedom for the most amount of people in the history of the world, and to stand up and defend that has been a great privilege,” said Gibson, who is stepping down at year’s end.
Gannon, of Salt Point, was honored for his four years of service in the Navy. He received the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Discharge Button and a Cold War Certificate.
Peritakos, a Persian Gulf War veteran from Wappingers Falls who served from 1987 to 1995, received numerous awards, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.