New York Riders honor Purple Heart Recipients

This past Tuesday, August 7 was national Purple Heart Day which is recognized across the nation and was celebrated here in Putnam County by the New York Riders Motorcycle Club. The ceremony was held at 7 pm at the Putnam County Veterans Park on Gypsy Trail Road In Carmel.

Despite the rain that started just as the ceremony commenced over 3 dozen attendees stood along side approximately 50 New York Riders to honor all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have received the Purple Heart, which is the Nation's oldest Military decoration.

County Executive Maryellen Odell, in her remarks said "On this day, we take the time to honor all Purple Heart recipients, past and present and to remember that all gave some, and some gave all,” said County Executive Odell. “We have any number of veterans residing within our borders who have received this distinguished medal, the military award, sought by none but respected by all." She noted the fact that Putnam County, in 2013, was designated New York State's First Purple Heart county.

Kent Town Supervisor Maureen Fleming was on hand as well to honor those who have received the prestigious medal. Also attending and speaking were Karl Rohde and Art Hanley, both of whom are veterans and the Director and Assistant Director, respectively, of the Putnam County Office of Veterans Services Agency. Both men, in their remarks,  lamented the fact that statistics show 22 veterans a day commit suicide and that its up to everyone, if they know of a veteran in need to, as Mr. Rohde put it, "give 'em a kick in the (rear)" and put them in touch with our agency for help." 

Upon conclusion of remarks the NY Riders honored three local men, Franklin Turner, Jerry Hillis and Larry Miller who are recipients of the award, with the honor of laying a wreath at the foot of the memorial. All men spoke of their time in service and the men they knew in battle who received the award posthumously. They stated that those men were the real heroes and they were honored to have known them. The service concluded with all three walking the flag line that had been established by the Riders prior to the ceremony. There was barely a dry eye in the crowd, which had nothing to do with the steady rainfall, as spectators, soldiers and Riders milled about with friends and family and shared their own personal remembrances of fallen friends and family.

The New York Riders Motorcycle Club is a group of everyday citizens who offer support to veterans, police and all first responders. Many of their members are veterans themselves, police or firefighters but they are also teachers, bankers and almost every other occupation. The one thing they all have in common is a desire to support and thank veterans and all first responders for their service to this nation.

For more information on the Purple Heart visit the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

For more information on the New York Riders Motorcycle Group visit their Facebook page

The Putnam County office of Veterans Services can be contacted through their website.

For more photos of the ceremony, visit our Facebook Album.

Photo credit: Peter Carey, HamletHub Editor

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