SERINO HONORS LOCAL INDUCTEES INTO THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE’S VETERANS HALL OF FAME

HYDE PARK, NY – Senator Sue Serino this week was joined by over 100 veterans and community members at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center in Hyde Park for a special ceremony she held to honor the 2020, 2021 and 2022 inductees into the New York State Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame from the 41^st Senate District.

Honorees included:

·Adam Roche, 2020 Veterans Hall of Fame Inductee and Director of Dutchess County Veterans Services;

·Alyssa Carrion, 2021 Veterans Hall of Fame Inductee and HERO Program Manager of Mental Health America of Dutchess County Veterans Programs; and

·Anthony Kavouras, 2022 Veterans Hall of Fame Inductee and Director of Mental Health America of Dutchess County Veterans Programs 

“Adam Roche, Alyssa Carrion, and Anthony Kavouras are true heroes in our community, and it was an honor to be able to recognize and celebrate their service and accomplishments here in the heart of our community surrounded by so many of our neighbors, including those who have been personally impacted by their work,” said Senator Sue Serino. “These three individuals are some of the most humble people that I know and they make a difference in the lives of veterans, and their families, every day. Their selflessness and service did not end when they were discharged from the military, and for that we are forever grateful.”

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Executive Director of Mental Health America of Dutchess County, Andrew O’Grady, were on hand to honor the inductees and share their experiences with the three inductees and the impact they have all made in our local community.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “Veterans and their sacrifices to protect our freedom deserve immense gratitude and our respect. I thank Senator Sue Serino for supporting these brave men and women, recognizing those who have stood out including our County’s Veterans’ Services Director, Adam Roche, chosen for this honor in 2020 due to his service and dedication to his fellow heroes. He goes above and beyond to ensure our local veterans’ needs are met, and he does it with a smile. I congratulate Adam and his fellow honorees, whose hard work does not go unnoticed. Dutchess County will continue to show our local heroes our appreciation and help provide them the good quality of life they earned during their time of service.”

Andrew O’Grady, CEO of Mental Health America of Dutchess County said, “All three of these inductees have proven themselves over and over again as worthy of this incredible recognition. They not only served their country in times of war but when they returned they dedicated their lives and their vocation to making sure that all veterans they come in contact with are taken care of.  They recognize that veterans do not have the support that they need through normal channels and their assistance in the assistance of the people working with them is vital and necessary. It literally saves lives and for that they remain heroes.”

The New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame was created to honor and recognize veterans from across New York State who have gone above and beyond both in their military service and in their communities back home. Each year, NYS Senators are invited to nominate one veteran from their district for this honor. Typically, inductees from across the state are invited to the Capitol for an in-person ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate has hosted the event virtually since 2020. To learn more about the Veterans Hall of Fame, click here.

Senator Serino also extended her thanks to Sheriff Kirk Imperati for leading attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, Desiree King, a Program Manager for Mental Health of America of Dutchess County, for performing the National Anthem, Uncle Mike from iHeartRadio’s WRWD for providing sound equipment, the Eveready Diner in Hyde Park for generously donating food for the luncheon and the team at the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center.

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