Voices of Dutchess County Veterans
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4-minute introduction
It is pretty well agreed that citizens of free and democratic countries who are well informed are in the best position to participate in, benefit from, and maintain, that democracy. What lessons could be more valuable than those of our veterans? These men and women, generation after generation, give up their freedoms, and too often give up their lives or their quality of lives, so that others all of us can benefit. Our goal with the program "I served..." is to a platform for them to speak, to create videos, audio podcasts, and written words that bring their stories to life.
My view is, serve your country, and serve it well. ~ George Mackey, Hopewell Junction.
I am, was, and will remain ready to give my life for this county. ~ Greg Liu, Tivoli
I am glad I am an American Citizen. It's a great country. ~ Victor Sepe, Millbrook.
When we thank a veteran for their service, what might we be thanking them for?
Above left: interviewees and their friends and families gathered July 28 to get a preview of the "I served..." pilot video at Milan Town Hall. Extraordinary thanks to the seven interviewees for their candor and participation. Above right: left to right, John Byron, Victor Sepe, Julia Liu, Greg Liu with Ken Mallen seated. Bob Couse absent from photo. We regret to announce that George Mackey passed away on July 20th. We are grateful not only for his service, but his story of service that he leaves us. "I served..." is an evolving program, please help spread the word to help us gain funding, and audiences for these lessons to be shared. Below: the seven men and women in our launch video.
John Byron
Millbrook
Radarman, US Navy 1944 to 1951
WWII, Korean War
Bob Couse
Pine Plains
Infantryman, US Army 1950 to 1953
Korean War
Greg Liu
Tivoli
Capt. US Air Force 1986 - 1991
Desert Storm
Julia Liu
Tivoli
SSgt. US Air Force 1986 to 1994
Desert Storm
George Mackey
Hopewell Junction
Ordnance, US Army 1950 to 1953
Korean War
Ken Mallen
Poughkeepsie
Sgt. US Army 1941 to 1945
World War II, Pacific
Other veterans oral history programs, right.
World War One
Spanish American War
Below left: Spanish American War Veteran of Pine Plains, Fred Knickerbocker, is profiled by his great-great-grandson, J.M. Kemp, in a 2018 DCHS Yearbook article. Below right: images used as backdrop for talk by Kemp at DCHS 2018 Annual Meeting.
Civil War
Volunteers emerge and assemble as the war begins in 1861. Letters from Pvt. Evert Traver to his father. 1982 DCHS Yearbook, overview of Civil War in Dutchess. 2015 and 2016 DCHS Yearbooks dedicated to the topic.
Revolutionary War
Under construction.