Pat Ryan Hosts Breakfast to Honor H.V. Veterans

NEW WINDSOR – On Saturday, Congressman Pat Ryan hosted a breakfast for Hudson Valley veterans to thank and honor them for their service. At the breakfast, Ryan recognized veterans Ralph Osterhoudt, Vincent Serrano, and David Harris for their heroism in military service and outstanding contributions to the Hudson Valley community. Ryan, a West Point graduate and Army veteran, has prioritized recognizing Hudson Valley veterans for their heroism and ensuring they receive the benefits, support, and recognition they earned.

“Our veterans have led lives grounded in service – motivated not out of self-interest, but out of a deep belief in our country’s principles of equality and freedom for all,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “That heroism and selflessness deserves to be honored and uplifted. I want our veterans to know that their sacrifices do not go unrecognized. Today and every day, I’m fighting to make sure our men and women in uniform receive the benefits that they earned and that our government upholds the promises it made to them.”

“A true Patriot is someone who puts his life on the line in the service of his country,” said Juan Figueroa, Retired Marine Chief Warrant Officer and Sheriff of Ulster County. “Sergeant David Harris continues to serve his community as a Deputy Sheriff in Ulster County. He took an oath and is selfless in his commitment to protect our rights and freedoms.”

“Ralph Osterhoudt is not only a Dutchess County hero; he’s an American hero whose service in the 575th Field Artillery Battalion saved the lives of countless Auschwitz prisoners in Nazi Germany,” said Adam Roche, Director of Dutchess County Veterans Affairs. “Mr. Osterhoudt’s service did not end when he returned home, as he’s advocated for decades for his fellow Dutchess County veterans, like myself. He is a tribute to the American ideals his fellow veterans have fought to uphold; and an inspiration for all of us to live a life of service.”

“Veteran Vincent Serrano and his wife Ely, are both very patriotic and involved in veteran as well as community activities. It is an honor to have Vinny as a member of the Veteran Center Board,” said Colonel Bob Anderson of the Orange County Veterans Center.

“It’s great seeing Congressman Ryan doing so much work with Veterans. I’ve grown up hearing how much they have been through, so seeing him in their corner is really fulfilling,” said Mia Serrano, daughter of Vincent Serrano. “I’m also really happy I was able to help honor my father. I love seeing how excited he is to help and how it gives him a huge sense of purpose.”

“Congressman Ryan is an honest man with integrity. He is invested in the community and specifically for veterans,” said Middletown veteran Nicholas White. “His office helped me empathetically and efficiently with my VA claims. Today’s breakfast reflects the commitment that he and his staff have for our veterans’ community.”

Ralph Osterhoudt, a Staatsburg WWII veteran, was injured in a blast only weeks after deploying to the European front, but went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge and helped liberate the Auschwitz concentration camp. Osterhoudt’s personal narrative of his time in service is included in the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. He is the recipient of three Bronze Stars and the French Medal of Honor. After his service, Osterhoudt continued serving the Hudson Valley community, including working at the Staatsburg Post Office. He pushed to keep the Castle Point VA Medical Center open alongside then-Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan and a coalition of Hudson Valley veterans and advocates. Osterhoudt continues to be an invaluable force of nature within the Hudson Valley veterans community.

Newburgh’s Vincent Serrano is a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War and recipient of a Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He is the senior vice commandant of the Marine Corps League Greater Newburgh Detachment #249 and was instrumental in organizing National Welcome Home Vietnam War Veterans Day observances in the Hudson Valley. He is a fierce advocate for his fellow veterans and is a robust presence in the Hudson Valley veterans community, frequently partnering with Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties to provide events and services that honor and support his fellow veterans. He is a Board Member of the Orange County Veterans Center and active member of VFW Post 973, American Legion Post 353, the D.A.V., AM/VET, and Vietnam Veterans of America. During the COVID pandemic, Serrano worked tirelessly to package and deliver food to Hudson Valley families struggling during the crisis. He is also the coordinator for the Hudson Valley’s Toys-4-Tots.

Kingston native David Harris served three tours in Afghanistan over eight years in the Marine Corps. During that time, he earned the Bronze Star with Valor for his heroism and bravery in combat. Harris grappled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after returning from combat. He found purpose and direction through service again, this time leaning on the criminal justice college degree he had earned prior to his military service and attending the police academy. He now serves as an Ulster County Sheriff’s Deputy, continuing to bravely and selflessly protect the Hudson Valley community.

Congressman Pat Ryan is the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in Congress and is an Army veteran of two combat tours in Iraq. He has prioritized delivering for Hudson Valley veterans and recognizing them for their service. Earlier this year, Ryan delivered $1 million in federal funds for the Rumshock Veterans Foundation to build ten homes for unhoused veterans in Orange County as part of its Veterans Village Project. After pushing for months for a partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD), Ryan announced this summer that Hudson Valley veterans will now be able to access expanded healthcare services at Keller Army Community Hospital at West Point.

Congressman Ryan has fought to ensure that veterans, service members, and military families can easily access the benefits that they’ve earned. Ryan has utilized his mobile office, the C.A.R.E.S. Van, to bring assistance with federal agencies like the VA directly to Hudson Valley veterans with events at Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) across the Hudson Valley. This spring, Ryan brought together over 35 organizations, government offices, and community partners from across the Hudson Valley for an all-in-one Veterans and Military Families Resource Fair.

Congressman Ryan is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. Ryan has spearheaded legislation that expands benefits and improves quality of life for veterans, servicemembers, and military families, including introducing the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act of 2023, the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act, and the Never Forgotten Korean War POW Act. Ryan has also championed legislation that protects reproductive freedom for women veterans and service members, including by cosponsoring the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act and the Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act.