HoehmTown Happenings

Honoring Our Veterans

On Friday, November 7th, the Town Of Clarkstown held its annual Veterans Day ceremony and luncheon. Hosting this annual event is one of the most rewarding parts of being Town Supervisor. Our veterans deserve an immense amount of respect and gratitude for their service to our country, a service they provided knowing that any moment their lives could be on the line, and for those who served in combat, that was an all-too-real reality. On Veterans Day, we express our eternal gratitude for each and every one of our brave men and women who served this great nation.

It is extremely important for our veterans to know that we appreciate the priceless gift they have provided to us, a gift that maintains our nation’s most precious possession – our freedom. What makes Veterans Day such an important and special day is the reminder to say thank you to those who have provided us with the freedom we cherish so dearly as Americans. It is something we sometimes take for granted, but something which must never be forgotten.

As the son of a Korean War Veteran, I’ve always had a deep respect for veterans and their families. Now as Supervisor, I’m proud to lead a town that is always looking for ways to recognize and help those who served.

Clarkstown was the first town in Rockland County and one of the first on the east coast to start a military tribute banner program that honors our veterans in our downtowns. We now have over 300 banners displayed annually in 6 different hamlets. Our Street School Community Center is home to the “Hall of Heroes” tribute to our veterans. It is also home to the Promenade of Heroes, which houses a memorial tree and plaque for each of our nation’s conflicts. We spotlight our veterans in a segment on my TV show. We opened a veteran’s center in town hall, and every year before Thanksgiving Clarkstown hosts a Veterans Turkey Dinner giveaway. These are just a few of the ways we try to express our gratitude.  

This year, we mark some remarkable milestone anniversaries in our nation’s military history, dating back to the days of the American Revolution. In June, we celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, in October, we honored the Navy’s 250th year in service, and on November 10th we marked the same milestone for the United States Marine Corps. Each of these branches of service celebrating their 250th anniversary this year have been critical in securing and maintaining our nation’s freedom.

The U.S. Army is the oldest and largest branch of the U.S. military, founded as the Continental Army on June 14, 1775 by the Second Continental Congress. The following day, George Washington was appointed as the Commander-In-Chief. Months later, on October 13, 1775, the Second Continental Congress founded the Continental Navy. The organization was ultimately disbanded in 1783, but its legacy led to the creation of the modern U.S. Navy in 1794.  And finally, the Second Continental Congress established the Marine Corps on November 10, 1775, when it commissioned two battalions of Continental Marines to serve as landing forces for the Continental Navy. While these are the military branches celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2025, we of course recognize and thank all of our veterans.

To those who served and risked everything, whether in war, in conflict, or in peace, we offer two simple but powerful words: THANK YOU. We are a better town and nation because of you.

May God Bless you and May God Bless the United States of America.