“It is well for us to pause, to acknowledge our debt to those who paid so large a share of freedom’s price.”
– Dwight D. Eisenhower
Veterans’ Day events
Monday, November 11 is Veterans’ Day. Thank you to all who have served over the years. I hope you feel honored and appreciated all year ‘round, not just on November 11. I hope you feel supported, whether you’ve shared your memories and experiences with others, or they remain private. Hudson Valley veterans have made a difference throughout the world for generations.
As President Eisenhower said during the dedication of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial, “…it is well for us to pause, to acknowledge our debt to those who paid so large a share of freedom’s price. As we stand here in grateful remembrance of the veterans’ contributions, we renew our conviction of individual responsibility to live in ways that support the eternal truths upon which our Nation is founded, and from which flows all its strength and all its greatness.”
Ceremonies at Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor, Dutchess County War Memorial in Poughkeepsie
Here are two local Veterans’ Day events to consider attending: On Sunday, November 10 at 2 p.m., the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor presents a free program that includes a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa; a tribute to 151 years of Purple Heart veterans; and a celebration of the seventh anniversary of the dedication of the Hall of Honor, complete with cupcakes. Reservations are recommended due to limited seating.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is co-located with the New Windsor Cantonment at 374 Temple Hill Road (Route 300) in New Windsor. For reservations or more information, call (845) 561-1765 or visit www.thepurpleheart.com.
The Dutchess County War Memorial ceremony takes place on Monday, November 11 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at Rinaldi Memorial Park, located on the corner of Main Street and Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, contact John Santiamo at (845) 489-0187.
Free car washes for vets
Here’s a special treat to pass along to any active military or veterans you know. Foam & Wash Car Wash invites all active and former members of the military to have their vehicle washed free of charge on Veterans’ Day. Veterans may visit any of Foam & Wash’s five soft-cloth facilities in Poughkeepsie, Wappingers Falls, Fishkill, Newburgh or Vails Gate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, November 11 to receive a complimentary $15 RainX Complete Car Wash.
Foam & Wash president Todd Baright said, “My family and I believe that it is very important to appreciate and remember our men and women for the sacrifices they have made in service to our country. We are humbled and pleased to wash their cars for free on Veterans’ Day. In the past four years, we have proudly washed over 5,500 of our veterans’ vehicles!” For more information, call (800) 688-9274 or visit https://foamandwash.com/veterans-day.
Musical puppet show at Museum of Firefighting in Hudson
Firefighters are another group of brave individuals who follow a call to duty. If your family hasn’t yet had a chance to visit the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY)’s Museum of Firefighting, I encourage you to go, especially during weekends with organized events. Your aspiring firefighters are sure to love dressing up in firefighter gear and climbing up into a rig.
This Saturday, November 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the FASNY Museum presents Firefighter Fran and her Puppet Pals, which is an interactive presentation including a musical puppet show finish. Daily museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission rates are $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 5 and older, $10 for a family of two adults and two children and free for children under age 5 and FASNY members. The FASNY Museum is located at 117 Harry Howard Avenue in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 822-1875 or visit www.fasnyfiremuseum.com.
The Common Core is a pretty charged topic right now in education. But here’s the thing: We have resources right in our own backyard that offer fantastic educational programming that kids love. School field trip budgets are shrinking, so here are some great ideas for doing these outings family-style.
Join the family! 
