Carmel, N.Y. – (11/14/11) – Twenty-seven veterans throughout the Hudson Valley were honored by Senator Greg Ball (R, C – Patterson) at the Veterans’ Hall of Fame ceremony on Thursday.
The Veteran’s Hall of Fame was created by Senator Ball, and 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.
Retired Specialist 4 Duke A. Searles is the City of Peekskill’s inductee Veterans’ Hall of Fame. Born on April 23, 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Searles served in the United States Army from June 1967 to July 1968, earning the Combat Infantry Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Ribbon. Upon his return from service following his honorable discharge, Ret. SP4 Searles earned his G.E.D. in 1970 and went to work for the New York City Transit Authority as a Bus Dispatcher. Currently Searles is the volunteer supervisor of the Montrose V.A. Food Pantry.
In addition to his volunteer work with the Montrose Food Pantry, Searles worked for thirteen years at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx. He has been recognized for his work with our community’s veterans, receiving the Hungry Heroes Award and Volunteer of the Year. Searles is also a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans.
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.”
