$125,000 in funding is on its way to the DAV Chapter 179 and City of Plattsburgh to pay for improvements at the Plattsburgh Barracks Veterans Park located on the Oval of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base.
The state funding will help the DAV and City to renovate the park, adding new sidewalks and installing new lights. Monday’s Veterans Day ceremony also honored Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Brian Genier from Chazy.
Genier was honored with a New York State Liberty Award not only for his military service but also for what he did for his community when he got back home including the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association which escorts veterans to & from North Country Honor Flights.
A special dedication was also held for the veteran who worked so hard to create the Barracks Veterans Park. A handcrafted flagpole will be a lasting memorial to Korean War Veteran Paul Dumas, made by Danny Kaifetz at his workshop in Owls Head.
Kaifetz founded the American Heroes Flagpoles Foundation two years ago to build and donate 100 handcrafted Northern Red Oak flagpoles to combat wounded and decorated veterans, like Paul Dumas. His daughter was given the honor of raising the flag on her father’s newly dedicated flagpole.