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About
While it is important to appreciate our veterans every day of the year, the Veterans Day holiday offers a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by so many brave men and women in defense of our country and our way of life.
Veterans Day is celebrated each year specifically at the top of the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month — Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. — to mark the exact moment in 1918 when the Armistice with Germany took effect and World War I ended.
Dutchess County has a proud history of honoring its veterans. In fact, the Society of the Cincinnati — the first veterans’ fraternal organization in the U.S. — was organized in 1783 at Mount Gulian in Beacon by Continental officers who fought in the American Revolution, including Patriot General Friedrich Von Steuben, whose headquarters were located at Mount Gulian in 1782-83.
Listed below are some veteran-owned businesses in Dutchess County, along with some events and programs that honor and support veterans and thank them for their service.
If you’re thinking of a fun, educational day trip for the whole family, be sure to check out this “Honoring Veterans” one-day Dutchess travel itinerary.
To access the Dutchess County Office of Veterans Services, click here.
• Brasserie 292, Poughkeepsie: After serving in the U.S. Army, Chef Charles Fells began his career in the hospitality in 1997 and acquired Brasserie 292 in 2015. Located in the heart of Downtown Poughkeepsie and within walking distance of attractions such as the MJN Convention Center (formerly the Mid-Hudson Civic Center) and the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Brasserie 292 offers a broad range of crowd-pleasing menu items in the tradition of a classic French brasserie. The Shrimp Provencal — sauteed with olive oil, toasted garlic, oven-roasted tomatoes, Espelette pepper, white beans, fresh herbs, house-made cavatelli and baby spinach — sounds particularly scrumptious. Brasserie 292 follows a simple philosophy: "Use use fine, local ingredients coupled with traditional cookery to create an incomparable and exceptional dining experience." Bon appetit!
• Hudson & Packard, Poughkeepsie: Located in the middle of Downtown Poughkeepsie, this pizza place — whose name is derived from two prominent Detroit-based car companies in the early days of the auto industry — was founded by Culinary Institute of America graduate Charlie Webb, whose eight years in the U.S. Army included two deployments in the Middle East. Opened in 2020, Hudson & Packard rose quickly to international fame, as its thicker-crusted, square-panned masterpieces placed second in the Pan Division at the 2022 International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas and third in the same competition in 2023. With a host of innovative toppings — the sweet and spicy Hudson Hornet features Mike’s Hot Honey, house-pickled jalapenos and pepperoni — there is a specialty pizza to satisfy every appetite. Staff Sergeant Webb’s story was featured in Episode 2 of the Discovery Network show “Veteran’s Playbook,” which highlights the accomplishments of veteran entrepreneurs. If you haven’t tried Hudson & Packard’s delicious Detroit-style pizza, you need to make it a priority the next time you’re in the Hudson Valley. Seriously, it’s that good.
• Matcha Thomas, Beacon: This family-owned and veteran-owned wellness teahouse proudly uses only premium, ceremonial-grade matcha — green tea leaves that have been roasted and ground into a powder — grown in the Uji Region in Japan. All ingredients are vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. The menu includes matcha lattes, specialty drinks, and a rotating selection of seasonally inspired bubble teas. The Matcha Thomas — their signature latte — is a creamy and soothing combination of a plant milk of your choice blended with Chowa Matcha and a coconut and vanilla cream base and lightly sweetened with maple. Yummy!
• Norma’s Bakery & Cafe, Wappingers Falls: Owners Denise Plowman — who is a former U.S. Marine — and Crystal River Williams both have pastry arts degrees and pour their passion for natural and local food into their work. Norma’s — which was named in honor of Crystal’s beloved grandmother – offers pastries baked fresh daily and custom-made cakes, along with a mouthwatering assortment of hot and cold sandwiches and egg platters. The oven-baked New Yorker sandwich features melted cheddar cheese, baked scrambled eggs and your choice of thick-cut bacon, spicy bacon, smoked ham, vegan sausage or avocado served on your choice of bread. Wash it all down with a selection from Norma’s expansive coffee and espresso menu served with their own line of homemade syrups. They offer organic soy milk, almond milk and Hudson Valley Fresh dairy products.
• Soukup Farms, Dover Plains: Soukup Farms has been producing and selling pure New York Maple Syrup for three generations. Nowadays, the husband-and-wife tandem of Mark and Jennifer Soukup — Jennifer is a veteran — are running the operation. Their products include an assortment of maple-infused items, including mustard, barbecue sauce and, of course, maple candy. Soukup Farms just wrapped up its ninth-annual Harvest Festival, which ran for four straight weekends in October and included hayrides, pick-your-own pumpkins and a corn maze. Keep an eye out for updates on the New York State Maple Producers Association's 28th annual Maple Weekends, which are scheduled for March 16-17 and 23-24, 2024. It's a celebration of all things maple and the folks who produce them. Sweet!
Related: To see a list of more veteran-owned businesses in Dutchess, click here.
• Dennings Point River Walk (Sunday, Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m. at Long Dock Park, Beacon): This event is hosted by Guardian Revival, a Beacon-based non-profit organization that strives to preserve the mental well-being of veterans and first responders at no cost. This 3.25-mile exploratory nature walk along the Hudson River will cover the Klara-Saur Riverfront Trail from Long Dock Park to Dennings Point and will offer beautiful views of the river and the surrounding hills at the peak of the fall foliage season. Long Dock Park is within walking distance of the Beacon Metro-North train station, so getting there is a breeze! Guardian Revival is led by co-founder and chief executive officer Alex Othmer, a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy who served eight years as a Navy SEAL and was combat disabled before beginning a difficult transition back to civilian life. His experiences prompted him to start Guardian Revival, which provides free, non-traditional therapy programs for veterans and first responders, “our guardians.” These programs include Boots & Paws (therapeutic companion dogs), Another Summit (therapy through outdoor adventure), Encore (therapy through music creation), and G-Connect (peer support). The organization is set to be featured in Episode 5 of “Veteran’s Playbook,” which is scheduled to air on Nov. 1.
• Complimentary Meal at The Culinary Institute of America (Friday, Nov. 10 at the CIA, Hyde Park): The CIA was founded to prepare returning World War II veterans for careers in the culinary arts. To celebrate Veterans Day, all veterans will receive a complimentary lunch or dinner in these CIA restaurants (alcohol not included): American Bounty Restaurant (reservations required); The Bocuse Restaurant (reservations required); Ristorante Caterina de' Medici (lunch only; reservations required); Apple Pie Bakery Cafe (up to $20); and The Egg (up to $15).
• Free Screening of the Silent Film “Wings” (Friday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. at The Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Poughkeepsie): The Bardavon and the New York Theatre Organ Society will honor veterans with a free screening of the 1927 silent film “Wings” accompanied by John Baratta on the theater’s famous Wurlitzer pipe organ, which was specially designed for The Bardavon when it was installed in 1928. (It is one of only several theater organs in the country still playing in its original location). “Wings,” a soaring epic set in the skies of World War I, captures the courage and camaraderie of fighter pilots. One of the sponsors of this event is Mental Health America of Dutchess County, which offers a variety of services and programs for veterans.
• Mesier Homestead Tour and Veterans Tribute (Sunday, Nov. 12, tours at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. at the Mesier Homestead, Wappingers Falls): Muriel Engelman was one of the last surviving Army nurses to serve near the front lines during World War II and was 101 when she passed away last summer. During this special tribute to veterans, you will hear about this former Wappingers Falls resident's experiences in Europe during the war, as portrayed by one of the costumed Wappingers Historical Society’s volunteers. You will also be able to discover and tour the historic Mesier Homestead. Following the Engelman presentation, your guided visit will continue through both floors of the Mesier Homestead by volunteers from the historical society, concluding with an exhibit from the archives. RSVP required.
• Red, White, and You! Veterans Appreciation Picnic (Each autumn, date to be announced, at Camp Nooteeming, Salt Point): Stay tuned for details on the 2024 iteration of this free annual event, which is presented by the Dutchess County Division of Veterans Services and is open to all veterans and one guest each. Enjoy an afternoon of comradery, food and music. The second-annual event in 2023 attracted several hundred veterans!
Veterans Yoga Retreats (Sept. 9-13 for men, Sept. 15-20 for women at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Rhinebeck): Stay tuned for updates on these fantastic retreats in the late summer of 2024 at Omega’s scenic and serene campus. Led by longtime Omega faculty member Annie Okerlin — one of the nation’s leading experts on Adaptive Yoga — these retreats are part of Omega’s “Veterans, Trauma and Resilience” initiative, which has offered hope and healing to veterans and their families for more than 25 years.
Saturday, Nov. 11
Amenia/Dover Plains: Ceremony hosted by the Harlem Valley VFW Post 5444 at Fountain Square (intersection of routes 343, 44 and 22 in Amenia), 11 a.m.
Beacon: Ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 203, VFW Pvt. William B. Wilson Post 666, Marine Corps League, Nam Knights, and Guardian Revival at the Veterans Memorial Hall (413 Main Street); refreshments to follow, 10:45 a.m.
Fishkill: Ceremony hosted by the Town of Fishkill Veterans Committee at the Town of Fishkill War Memorial (801 Route 52), 11 a.m.
Hopewell Junction: Flag display at 799 Route 82 hosted by the Manny Bacon American Legion Post 1758, 7 a.m.
Hyde Park: Ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 1303 at Hyde Park Town Hall and the Hyde Park War Memorial (4383 Albany Post Road), 10:45 a.m.
Milan: Ceremony hosted by the Milan Veterans’ Committee at Wilcox Memorial Town Hall (20 Wilcox Circle), 11 a.m.
Millbrook: Ceremony hosted by VFW Post 9008 at the Veterans Green (across the street from the Millbrook Village Firehouse at 20 Front Street). In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the fire house, 11 a.m.
Millerton: Ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 178 at Veterans Park (intersection of Main Street and Dutchess Avenue), 11 a.m.
Pine Plains: Ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 426 and VFW Post 5519 at 9 North Main Street, 11 a.m.
Poughkeepsie: Ceremony and laying of a wreath hosted by Dutchess County Veterans’ Services at the Dutchess County War Memorial (Raymond Avenue and Main Street), 11 a.m.
Red Hook: Ceremony hosted by VFW Post 7765 at Red Hook Veterans Memorial Park (North Broadway), 11 a.m.
Rhinebeck: Ceremony hosted by the Women’s Auxiliary and Montgomery American Legion Post 429 at Rhinebeck Cemetery (corner of Route 9 South and Mill Road), 11 a.m.
Tivoli: Ceremony hosted by the Harris Smith American Legion Post 524 (88 Broadway), 11 a.m.
Wappinger: Ceremony hosted by the Town of Wappinger Recreation Department at Town of Wappinger Town Hall (20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls), 1 p.m.
Wappingers Falls: Ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 427 and the Victor L. Bracone VFW Post 5913 at Major Joseph McDonald MIA/POW Park (East Main Street), 11 a.m.
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