Vietnam Veteran Andrew Doro honored at ceremony in Millbrook

Vietnam Veteran Andrew Doro honored at ceremony in Millbrook

On Thursday, April 18, a commemorative quilt sewn by Quilts2Quilts, Mental Health America of Dutchess County was presented by JoAnn Schmidt to Millbrook Mayor Peter Doro, honoring his father, Army First Lieutenant Andrew Doro.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — By all accounts, Army 1st Lt. Andrew Doro was an ideal choice to receive the honor of being remembered at the first-ever Honor-a-Veteran program sponsored by the Dutchess County Office of Veterans’ Affairs, a ceremony held at Village Hall on Thursday, April 17. The event drew a gathering of nearly 100 veterans, friends and area residents.

The solemn event was the first of what will be monthly Honor-a-Veteran ceremonies throughout the county sponsored by the Veterans’ Affairs office.

Andrew Doro, father of Millbrook’s Mayor Peter Doro, was born in the Bronx in 1945. He earned the rank of First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served with valor during the Vietnam War, receiving the Silver Star and a Purple Heart.

A large representation of Dutchess County officials and veterans’ organizations attended the historic Honor-a-Veteran program at Village Hall on Thursday, April 18, honoring the memory and service of Army 1st Lt. Andrew Doro, who served with valor in the Vietnam War.Photo By Leila Hawken

Following Doro’s service he went on to become an entrepreneur and local educator, fondly remembered by his students, some of whom were in the audience.

The ceremony was attended by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard and included presentation of several commemorative items, accepted by Millbrook Mayor Doro on behalf of his family.

Also attending the ceremony was County Executive Sue Serino, who presented an official proclamation and a U.S. flag flown for 30 days in Doro’s honor.

Millbrook Mayor Peter Doro spoke at the first-ever Honor-a-Veteran ceremony sponsored by the Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs. The ceremony, held at Village Hall on Thursday, April 18, honored the memory and valor of Doro’s father, Army First Lieutenant Andrew Doro during the Vietnam War.Photo by Leila Hawken

“A true American hero from the battlefield to the classroom,” Serino said in praise of Doro’s service.

Other commemorative items presented to the Doro family included a Challenge Coin, a shadow box of medals, and a quilt from the Quilts2Quilts program.

“My dad was a humble guy,” said Peter Doro during his remarks as he thanked everyone for coming to the ceremony.

“That we can honor him in this way is a great honor for our family, the village and the vets,” he said.

Latest News

Gilbert Kenneth Schoonmaker

WINSTED — Gilbert Kenneth Schoonmaker, of Monroe, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2025, at the age of 77. Born on Jan. 18, 1948, in Winsted, Connecticut to Gilbert and Alta (Bierce) Schoonmaker, Gil spent four decades enjoying life on Highland Lake before settling in Monroe.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of 56 years, Sally (Gustafson) Schoonmaker, and his two daughters, Lynn Sindland and her husband Lee of Lead Hill, Arkansas, and Deb Pikiell and her husband Tim of Bristol, Connecticut. Gil was a proud grandfather to Ozzie, Tommy, Betsy, Katie, George, Lucy, Maddie, Joey, and Julia, and he cherished his time with his eight great-grandchildren. Gilbert leaves behind his siblings Ann, Gary, Gail, Jan, and Tim.

Keep ReadingShow less
Village meeting to explore ICE cooperation limits set for Tuesday, July 29

The Millerton Village Offices on Route 22 north of the intersection with Route 44.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The anticipated follow-up to the May 21 special meeting regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement will take place Tuesday, July 29, at 6 p.m. Legal counsel for the village is expected to attend.

At the May meeting, nearly 20 residents and community members urged the village board to adopt a local law limiting cooperation between Millerton’s police and ICE, aiming to protect immigrants, including undocumented individuals. While no resolution was reached, Mayor Jenn Najdek committed to holding a follow-up meeting where village legal counsel would be present to help clarify questions and explore the proposal in more depth.

Keep ReadingShow less
Books and bites beckon at the upcoming Sharon Summer Book Signing

Author and cartoonist Peter Steiner signed books at Sharon Summer Book Signing last summer.

Photo by Stephanie Stanton

The 27th annual Sharon Summer Book Signing at the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon will be held Friday, Aug. 1, from 4:45 to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 3, at noon.

Friday’s festivities will honor libraries and the power of the written word. In attendance will be 29 locally and nationally recognized authors whose books will be for sale. With a wide array of genres including historical fiction, satire, thrillers, young adult and non-fiction, there will be something for every reader.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voices from Ukraine to America come to Stissing Center July 27

Ukraine Emergency Fundraiser at The Stissing Center in 2022 raised over $120,000 for Sunflower of Peace.

Photo by Michael Churton

The spirit of Ukraine will be on display at the Stissing Center in Pine Plains on Sunday, July 27. Beginning at 5 p.m., the “Words to America from Ukraine” fundraiser is set to showcase the simultaneous beauty of Ukrainian culture and the war-time turmoil it faces, all the while fundraising in support of Ukrainian freedom.

“Words to America from Ukraine” aims to remind and spread awareness for the suffering that often gets forgotten by those who live in comfortable worlds, explained Leevi Ernits, an organizer for the event. “We are trying to make an attempt to remind people that we are human, and we are connected with human values,” she said. “With very few words, poetry can express very deep values.”

Keep ReadingShow less