Press Release from County Executive Marcus Molinaro laying out Veteran’s Day activities in Beacon and Dutchess County:

Amid ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings and events, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Adam Roche, Director of the Dutchess County’s Division of Veterans Services, have announced Dutchess County will honor veterans with a convoy of county, police, fire, armed services, and local municipal vehicles on Veteran’s Day. The convoy will traverse through every municipality in Dutchess County to safely recognize and celebrate the sacrifices of local veterans. View a map of the route. The convoy will travel along Main Street in Beacon at 12 noon on Veteran’s Day. View all convoy rally points here.

County Executive Molinaro said, “On Veterans Day we honor our nation’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the greater good. In their honor we will travel every corner of the county, heralding their service and once again celebrating these brave and heroic individuals. I encourage everyone to safely enjoy this convoy or any of the other community events happening throughout Dutchess. We are better, stronger and safer because of their service and sacrifice.”

At 9 am on Wednesday, November 11th, the Dutchess County Veterans Day Convoy will depart the Dutchess County War Memorial, located at the intersection of Raymond Avenue and Main Street in the Town of Poughkeepsie, and travel a loop through the towns of central Dutchess County before returning to the War Memorial for a wreath laying ceremony at 11am. Following the brief ceremony, the Convoy will depart once again to travel the perimeter towns of the county, ending at the War Memorial. As it travels throughout the county, each municipality will have vehicles join the Veteran’s Day Convoy as it travels through their respective borders.

Dutchess County Veterans Services organized a vehicle convoy for Memorial Day when the traditional ceremony at the Dutchess County War Memorial was not possible due to COVID-19.   The event was well-received and, as restrictions on gathering sizes continue to be in place, Veterans Services decided to expand the convoy to ensure it traveled through every municipality.

2020 Veterans Day Community Observances in  Beacon
(Based on information provided by municipalities and community organizations)

Wednesday, November 11

Beacon Ceremony
11:00 AM
Memorial Building, 413 Main St., Beacon
Hosted by VFW Post # 666
Point of Contact: Harold Delamater, 845-337-6509 or 845-297-8865

Dutchess County Veteran’s Day Convoy – Countywide
9:00 AM start
11:00 AM wreath laying
Starting Dutchess County War Memorial, corner of Main Street and Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie – then countywide
Point of Contact: Adam Roche, 845-486-2060