SERINO BESTOWS STATE’S HIGHEST HONOR ON LOCAL HOMETOWN HERO

ALBANY, NY— Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) honored the life and legacy of Poughkeepsie’s famous John Flowers by posthumously awarding him the New York State Liberty Medal in Albany on May 17, 2016.

“A distinguished Vietnam Veteran with an infectious personality, John Flowers’ commitment to our nation and to our local community extended far beyond his time in the service,” said Senator Serino on the floor of the New York State Senate. “John stood for hope, he stood for happiness and he stood for humanity across the Hudson Valley. He was a ray of light in the darkest days of more people than he will ever know and I can think of few more deserving of this distinct honor.”

New York’s Liberty Medal, which is officially recognized as the State’s highest honor, is awarded to individuals  who  have  merited  special commendation  for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers.
 
Having lived in Poughkeepsie since the early 1950s and having graduated from Poughkeepsie City High School, Flowers is a true son of the City who went above and beyond for decades to improve life for residents there and throughout the Hudson Valley.
 
While he worked for over three decades as a self-employed general contractor, Flowers is best known for his larger-than-life personality and for his work as a philanthropist and community organizer who was committed to ensuring that local veterans, families and individuals never felt alone. He was the force behind the famous, ‘Christmas in February’ celebration that brought teams of volunteers to Castle Point VA Hospital to remind our veterans of all those in the community who value their service. He made it a point each and every year to celebrate mothers on Mother’s Day by bringing roses to local nursing homes and hospitals and he even started the community’s very first Father’s Day Parade.
 
The Flowers family, who has worked tirelessly to continue his work, was in Albany to accept the award.

Serino made note of that point saying, “His family is here with us today and I know that John is smiling down on them. Not because we are here paying tribute to his life and legacy, but because they have continued his incredible work without missing a beat. This award belongs just as much to them.

I consider it an honor to not only have know John Flowers, but to have been lucky enough to call him a friend. May his legacy serve to inspire others throughout our community to continuously put others first.”

For more information on John’s life, legacy, and his family’s continued work, please visit: www.flowersfamilypartnership.com.

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