Dear Diary,

Hey I know I like to keep this

light but sometimes there is

vitally important stuff to

talk about. On March 6th

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne had

a “”Voices for Veterans” Tour

of the important Veterans

sites and highlighting major

programs for Veterans. He

brought Assemblyman Jake

Ashby, Ranking member of

the NYS Assembly Veterans

Committee, to see what was

happening in Putnam. To me

one of the highlights was a

tour of Pegasus Farm. There

and at the press conference

at Vet2Vet and MHA office I

was able to explain the

importance of Vet2Vet

funding that has been take

out of the proposed state

budget by the governor. I

told all who were listening

that while Vet2Vet was

important to me as the

Director of the Putnam County

Veterans Service Agency it was

more important to me as a

Veteran diagnosed with PTSD.

John Bourges the Director of

Vet2Vet discovered Pegasus

Farm and the Equus Effect

that has brought solace to me

in quelling my demons. For that

I am eternally grateful because

without Vet2Vet there would

be no horses for me.

OK,OK Dairy I will tell another

joke:

You're riding a horse full speed,

there's a giraffe beside you, and

you're being chase by a lion.

What do you do? Get your drunk

self off the carousel.

This past Thursday the 2nd

week of Equus was completed.

What a great session. The

highlight of the session was

provided by Veteran Julio.

There is an exercise that the

Veterans have to do where they

take their horse by the lead and

start by walking

the horse around

the arena. There are cones set up

for the horse to weave in and out

of and cavaletti (see Diary another

horsey term) for the horse to step

over. Julio had an amazing

session with my fav horse BO. He

had lead this majestic steed twice about the arena. Once

they wove in and out of the cones. Then as they neared

the first cavaletti Julio urged Bo into a trot. The two

moving close to warp speed navigated over both of the

cavaletti. Why Diary you might be asking is this

“amazing”? Bo rarely moves above a saunter. He is slow

and steady. Always slow and steady. To get him to move

at a great speed, actually not at warp speed, is amazing.

Bo and Julio were the hit of the session. Raucous applause

and cheers followed. Julio had a great smile on his face. We

all smiled! I almost expected Julio to jump on Bo’s back like

the Lone Ranger of my youth and make him rear with his

front legs high in the air. Then Julio would yell “Hi-Yo Bo!

Away” He and Bo would gallop off into the sunset!!!

Sad news Diary the Equus Effect at Pegasus Farm has

been rescheduled due to the current Covid-19 precautionary

measures. Please everyone keep safe, protect yourselves

and your loved ones. Check on elderly or infirm Relatives

neighbors and friends.

I WISH YOU HORSES!

Karl

Diary of a

Horse

Skeptic

Volume Issue

The Putnam county Veterans Service Agency Situation Report

Diane, Roni, Me,

Assemblyman Ashby, Lynn

Page 2

VBA RO Public Access Closure • We are committed to the safety of our Veterans and employees. VA has implemented an aggres-sive public health response to protect and care for Veterans in the face of this emerging health risk. • Due to an abundance of caution with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) regional offices will be closed to the public starting March 19. • Regional offices will remain open, but will no longer accept walk-ins for claims assistance, sched-uled appointments, counseling and other in-person services. • The decision protects our older Veterans and those with underlying medical conditions as well as our employees. • Veterans can continue to get information about benefits or file a claim for benefits by visiting our website at www.va.gov. Veterans with claims specific questions may request information via the In-quiry Routing & Information System (IRIS) or telephone at 1-800-827-1000. • VBA benefits and services provided to Veterans, families, and survivors will continue to be delivered throughout the duration of COVID-19 impacts. • Please continue to check www.va.gov for updates. You also may follow us on Facebook and Twit-ter.

Page 3

Page 4 As the years go by we are saddened by

the fact that our ranks grow thinner

This is the tale of two citizens who I

hope you keep in your hearts and minds.

One is a Veteran and one was not a Veteran

but his patriotism and fervor for

Veterans was widely known.

Frank Pascale who served in the US Army

in the late has also passed. His story is

sadder. Frank who served in he Army un-

der the name Frank Rodrigues died indi-

gent and with out a family to bury him.

No Veteran should die unknown. The Put-

nam County Veterans Service Agency will

accompany this Veteran to his final resting

place on 3/24. The county will generously

cover the costs. Sadly this will be his only

obituary.

Several years ago Jack Gress was pre-

sented with the title “Honorary Veteran”

by the Putnam County Joint Veterans

Council. An honor only given out a hand full

of times since the Council was formed in

1992. Jack worked with great pride when

the Vietnam Veterans Wall was brought

to Putnam County. He also hosted a 9/11

Ceremony every year since that heinous

attack on our country. Jack’s obituary will

be on this page.

One Veteran and one Honorary Veteran.

Both will be missed. This Memorial by the

Row of Honor gracing Lake Gleneida Car-

mel as each name of a Putnam County resi-

dent who passed since last Memorial Day is

read both names will be added to the list.

A teachable moment. Jack passed from

the scourge of ALS. While he was not a

Veteran everyone out there should be

aware that any Veteran any time of ser-

vice it is presumptive that the Veteran is

eligible for VA Compensation and health

care.

Karl

John (Jack) G. Gress Jr. of Brewster NY, a patriot, hard-working, well-loved husband, and father, passed away peacefully at home on March 22, 2020. He was 77 years old. Jack was born on November 23, 1942, in Bronx, NY, son of the late Be-atrice Byrne and John G Gress Sr. He grew up in the Bronx and went to St. Helena’s High School. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Josephine Gress and his four chil-dren; Michael Gress, Karen Merritt, Lorraine (Andrew) Chastant, and Barbara (Dave) O’Hara, his six grandchildren; Michael Chastant, Patrick Chastant, Abigail Merritt, Ryan O’Hara, Lindsay O’Hara, and Ashley O’Hara, and his sister Carol Connolly, his brother Kenneth (Gerry) Gress of Bronx NY along with many loving nieces and nephews. His beloved wife, Jo, was always by his side. Fiercely devoted to one another, they raised four children in North Salem NY, where they lived for 48 years. To his six grandchildren, he was always “grandpa”, light-hearted and proud. His children would all say that dad taught them a strong work ethic, good morals, and the importance of community. Jack grew up in the trades working with his dad from childhood as a builder. A self-starter Jack began a successful business, WR Repair Ser-vice, now owned and managed by his son Mike Gress. Upon his retire-ment, he intensified his efforts as owner-operator of the Someday Retire-ment Community, Brewster, NY. Jack had many interests and it is an understatement to say he enjoyed helping others. He was a true jack of all trades and loved any project large or small. His commitment to the community was endless. It would be impossible to list all of the organizations that he supported and where he volunteered his time. Jack was most proud of his work with the veter-ans and honoring of 9/11/2001. If you knew him, you would call him a friend. He will be sadly missed by all. A private Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated St. Lawrence O’Toole Church on Monday, March 23, 2020. Visitation will be held on Sunday March 22 at Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Avenue, Brew-ster from 3pm-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Support our troops in Car-mel, NY or your favorite veterans' organization.

Page 5

Donald b. smith government campus

110 old route 6, bldg. #3

Carmel NY 10512

Monday—Friday 9-5

Call for appointment either location

845-808-1620

Tuesday evenings 5-7PM

2505 Carmel ave. (rt 6) Suite 212

Brewster, NY 10509

Karl Rohde, Director

Art Hanley, deputy director

Page 6

To All our Veterans

While Art and I will not

Be in the office

Due to this virus

We will be available

We are not as important

as the 4 people raising

The American Flag

However if you need us

Please call

We will be picking up mes-

sages and will have our cell

phones near us

We will help where we can

Please stay safe!