Carmel, N.Y. – (11/14/11) – Twenty-seven veterans from throughout the Hudson Valley were honored at Senator Greg Ball (R, C – Patterson) Veterans’ Hall of Fame. Among them, was Retired E-4 Firefighter Gerard Christiansen of the Town of Pawling.
Commander of the American Legion, Hasler-Kamp Post #215, Christiansen was born on October 1, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York. He served seven and one-half years in the United States Coast Guard, and has been recognized for developing the Coast Guard’s firefighter course.
Christiansen was instrumental in the relocation of the Civil War, World War I, World War II and other service monuments to be showcased within the new Pawling Village Green, a privately funded economic development project, in the Village of Pawling.
Christiansen is also a member of the Pawling Rotary and the Pawling Chamber of Commerce.
Created and hosted by Senator Ball, the Veterans’ Hall of Fame was designed to honor outstanding veterans from throughout the 40th Senate District. Each veteran that was honored will be included on a traveling wall that will tour local municipalities throughout the 40th district.
During his opening remarks Senator Ball said, “The veterans who are here today were nominated by their communities, hand-picked because they chose a path of courage, honor, integrity and bravery; a path that helped shape America as we know it, protecting our way of life and liberty.”
