Millbrook’s Memorial Day focuses on housing for veterans

MILLBROOK — The Millbrook Memorial Day Parade started out at the Millbrook VFW Post #9008 at Franklin Avenue at 11 a.m. and ended up at the Tribute Garden Park. Many turned out to show their appreciation for those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

One of the first trucks headed out bestowed with American flags flying on it for yet another memorable patriotic event. The parade was actually led by a riderless horse, mostly seen in presidential funerals and at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The riderless horse was led by Navy veteran Marc Boissey.

The parade finished at the Tribute Garden Park, where a program was led by Town of Washington town Supervisor Gary Ciferri, himself a Vietnam veteran.

The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Tommy Zurhellen, a Navy veteran who walked across the United States by himself in 2019. Zurhellen is also an author and on the faculty at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie.

The author signed copies of his book, “The Low Road: Walking for the Veterans,” which benefits the Vet Zero Project. The Vet Zero Project helps local veterans find housing through Hudson River Housing in Poughkeespie.

— Judith O’Hara Balfe

Veteran Sue DeMeo, center, laid a wreath down during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Tribute Garden on Monday, May 30. Photo by Judith O'Hara Balfe

From left, David Sager stood with Millbrook Memorial Day ceremony keynote speaker, Vietnam War veteran and author Tommy Zurhellen. Sager held up Zurhellen’s recent book, which he had just purchased and had the author sign, saying he had great respect for the man who walked across America on his own in 2019. Photo by Judith O'Hara Balfe

Veteran Sue DeMeo, center, laid a wreath down during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Tribute Garden on Monday, May 30. Photo by Judith O'Hara Balfe