SERINO NAMES ROCHE TO NYS VETERANS’ HALL OF FAME

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Senator Sue Serino today announced that Retired United States Marine Corporal Adam Roche of Pleasant Valley has been named to the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame. Roche currently services as the Director for the Dutchess County Division of Veterans Services. 

“Since first meeting Adam, I have always been amazed by the way he devotes himself fully to caring for local veterans across the Hudson Valley,” said Senator Sue Serino. “Ever since enlisting in the United States Marine Corps following graduation from high school, his service to our country, and our community, has not stopped. He has done critical work through his role as Program Manager of the Dutchess County Vet2Vet Program and continues to do so in his expanded role as the Director of the Dutchess County Division of Veterans Services. I am so honored to be able to name him to the New York State Veterans’ Hall of Fame and to recognize him for his countless contributions to our community. He has touched so many lives, and his continued dedication to service is a true testament to his character.”

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “Adam Roche has not only valiantly served our nation as a distinguished United States Marine, he continues his service to his community as Director of the Dutchess County Division of Veterans’ Services. We are proud of Adam and the accomplishments he has achieved in the few short months in his new post, and Dutchess County’s veterans could not find a stronger advocate. We thank Senator Sue Serino for likewise recognizing Adam and the invaluable assistance he has offered his fellow former service members since his departure from active duty. This honor is greatly deserved, the latest milestone in Adam’s acclaimed career of service.”

Every year, each State Senator is given the opportunity to induct a local veteran into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame from the community they serve. This prestigious award recognizes those who have gone above and beyond not only in their military life, but in their civilian life as well. 

Typically, honorees from each Senate District come together at a special annual event in the State Capitol where they have the opportunity to network with one another as they are recognized for their service and achievements. With visitors still not permitted at the Capitol, this year’s celebration has gone virtual. 

According to a biography provided for the event, Roche enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2000 and following boot camp, he trained to become an infantry machine gunner at Camp Geiger in North Carolina. While stationed in Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, he was deployed three times, once to Japan, Afghanistan, and Iraq, where he was in one of the first units deployed. Roche credits his experience to why he is do dedicated to serving other veterans.

Following his honorable discharge, he enrolled in Dutchess Community College before being named the Program Manager for Mental Health America of Dutchess County’s Vet2Vet Program. In that role, Roche served countless veterans from across Dutchess County and worked to connect them with the critical resources necessary to adjust back to civilian life or to assist those struggling with PTSD, TBI, or other mental health challenges. In July of 2020, Roche was named the Director of the Dutchess County Division of Veterans Services.

Roche currently serves on Senator Sue Serino’s Veteran Advisory Board as well as on the Hudson Valley Veteran Task Force, Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney’s Veterans Advisory Board and Castle Point’s Veterans Advisory Board.

To learn more about Adam’s work with the Division of Veterans Services, click here. To view a special tribute video created for the occasion, click here. 

For more information on Adam Roche or the NYS Veterans Hall of Fame, click here.

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