Memory of Local Fallen Service Members Honored

POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and the Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs recently recognized the life and military service of former U.S. Navy Petty Officer and East Fishkill resident Paul Davidson at the County’s most recent “Honor-A-Veteran” Ceremony. Hosted by Knights of Columbus St. Mary’s Council No. 4065 in Hopewell Junction, the event was the latest in a series of monthly ceremonies held by the County Executive to honor the lives and dedicated service of local veterans who have died.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “Paul’s service to his country and his kindness knew no bounds. Following his selfless service half a world away, he gave even more to his community, devoting his time, heart and energy to lifting up his fellow veterans with the generosity that defined his character. It’s a privilege for Dutchess County to share Paul’s story through our ‘Honor-A-Veteran’ program and to make sure veterans like him are remembered not just for their service, but for the meaningful roles they played in the lives of those who loved them and the communities in which they lived.”

P.O. Davidson was born in 1948 in the Bronx and grew up in a family with a strong military tradition, inspired by his WWII veteran father and Navy-serving brother. After graduating from the John W. Brown Liberty Ship high school, the only floating maritime high school in the country, he enlisted in the Navy first as an engineman and served as a Petty Officer on a Patrol Boat River in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War. During his service, he faced intense combat, lost close comrades and friends before returning home in 1968.

Returning to civilian life, P.O. Davidson worked as a cab driver in New York City before working as a railroad conductor. After retiring from the railroad in 1991, the father of three ran a carburetor shop before moving to East Fishkill, where he became a dedicated advocate for veterans. P.O. Davidson joined local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the American Legion before co-founding the Veterans Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley to address veterans’ issues, focusing on providing transportation to medical appointments through the DAV transportation program.
P.O. Davidson passed away April 9, 2020.

Office of Veterans Affairs Director Adam Roche said, “From the streets of the Bronx to the rivers of Vietnam, Petty Officer Davidson lived a life of service and quiet courage. Guided by family tradition and forged in sacrifice, he returned home to build a life rooted in hard work, love for his community and a deep commitment to his fellow veterans. Just as he never forgot those he served alongside and always advocated for those who came after him, and Dutchess County will similarly always remember his legacy.”

During the ceremony, County Executive Serino and Director Roche and members of the Dutchess County Honor-A-Veteran Committee presented P.O. Davidson’s family with several honors, including a:
• U.S. flag flown in Dutchess County for 30 days in his memory;
• proclamation from County Executive Serino;
• Veterans Challenge Coin from the Dutchess County Honor-A-Veteran Committee;
• New York State Senate Liberty Medal from Sen. Robert Rolison; and
• handmade quilt from Mental Health America of Dutchess County’s Veterans Programs’ Quilts2Honor.