Dinner Is Served To Those Who Have Served: Murphy, Serino, Odell And Vet2vet Sponsor 2016 Chow Down Event

MAHOPAC, NY -Some came in wheelchairs, leaning on canes or on each other, but at the first glimpse of their brothers and sisters in arms, they stood proudly, saluted, and smiled. And as they posed for photos with Senator Terrence Murphy, many thanked him and his co-hosts, Senator Sue Serino, Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell and the Dwyer Vet2Vet Program for bringing their military families back together again.

The festive occasion was the 2016 Veterans Chow Down. Nearly 500 veterans and their guests enjoyed a sumptuous military-styled feast as the familiar refrains of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Anchors Aweigh” and other tunes were sung in the background. The free event, held at the Putnam County Golf Course, honored men and women who have served in our armed forces. A quartet of spritely singers from the USO sang a nostalgic tribute to popular music from the World War II era and beyond. Military vehicles provided by the American Veterans Historical Museum were a big hit with kids as well as the servicemen who had manned them in times of war.

“It is a simple fact that bears repeating; we would not be here without the men and women in our armed forces. We owe them everything,” said Senator Murphy. “It is rewarding to see them have an afternoon when they can get together again, be entertained, well fed, and above all, recognized for their service. It is a pleasure to be a part of such a rewarding and heartwarming experience.”

“While words may never be enough to fully express our gratitude to our veterans and their families for their countless sacrifices, it is events like these that remind them just how much our community values all that they have done and continue to do,” said Senator Sue Serino. “I cannot thank our dedicated team of volunteers enough for helping to make the event a huge success and for helping to remind our veterans that they will always have an incredibly grateful community behind them.”

“It was a privilege to co-host the 2016 Veterans’ Chow Down, ” said Putnam County Executive Odell. It was a beautiful celebration that managed to bring together nearly 500 of our Veterans and their guests to reconnect, enjoy a meal and giveothers an opportunity to honor theirservice. Special thanks go to the Joseph P. Dwyer Vet2Vet program for sponsoring the event and to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Putnam Veterans Service Agency for sponsoring the wonderful USO entertainment.”

“We had a great feast for our community’s veterans at the second annual Veterans Chowdown,” said Karl Rhode, Director of the Putnam County veterans Agency. “The impact of the Dwyer Vet2Vet Program in sponsoring the Chow Down as a premier peer event will be felt beyond Putnam County. It would be remiss if I did not thank and salute the Non-Veteran volunteers who flocked to this event to help make it a success.”

The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Vet to Vet Support Program assists veterans by reducing or eliminating the negative impact that trauma-related symptoms have on social, occupational and family functioning. Putnam County is one of fifteen New York State counties participating in the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Program to provide Vet to Vet support.

John Bourges, Program Coordinator for the Dwyer Vet2 to Vet Program of Putnam County, said, “A great deal is owed to the veterans of this country. Never have so few given so much, Our veterans are a great group of people, and it is a pleasure to see help them live the lives they deserve.”

James McConnell Putnam County First Deputy County Clerk was also on hand to offer information about the Return the F.A.V.O.R. discount program. The program helps veterans take advantage of discounts offered by local merchants. “We are very happy to be here to be able to offer our ‘Return the F.A.V.O.R. program,” he said. “Getting veterans involved in the program is way to say thanks for having our backs when we needed you.”