On the misty morning of Sunday, May 3, more than 100 people gathered at the Pine Plains Firehouse for the town’s annual Veterans Appreciation Day, a celebration of service and community.
The event featured a hot breakfast of pancakes, French toast, eggs, sausage, bacon, home fries, toast, juice, and coffee — prepared by members of the Fire Company and the Ladies Auxiliary.
Proceeds from the breakfast will fund wreaths to be placed on veterans’ graves at Evergreen Cemetery and Gallatin Reformed Cemetery on Wreaths Across America Day, which is scheduled for Dec. 13.
Thanks to generous donations, all the veterans in attendance received their breakfasts free of charge.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of a Quilt of Valor to David Alm, a Pine Plains resident who served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Alm held the rank of E4 and was stationed aboard the USS Detroit, a combat support ship, from 1968 to 1972. He continued his service with one year in the Navy Reserves following active duty.
The handmade quilt, stitched by Sandy Boyles, was awarded by Lynne Clinch. It marked the 45th such quilt distributed in Pine Plains as part of the national Quilt of Valor program, which honors veterans and service members.
“It was inspiring to see the community come together to honor our veterans,” said Carol Hart, one of the event’s organizers. “Events like this reinforce the value of community and the shared respect we have for our veterans.”