TRIBUTES Banners honoring vets hang on Old Rte. 17 in Roscoe, left, and on Main Street in Livingston Manor. Adam Fithers photos
One Manorite’s mission to help his fellow men
Banners honor local veterans
By Kara Didrich | Manor Ink
You may have noticed that the visual landscapes of Livingston Manor’s Main Street and Stewart Avenue in Roscoe have been transformed over the last two years by banners hung to honor our local veterans. “There are already 124 total banners in place and potential poles available for 250 additional ones,” said Dean DeWitt, the man behind the initiative.
In September 2023, Manor Ink reported on DeWitt’s plans to launch the banner program. These banners are similar in spirit to the “Hometown Heroes” programs seen in many towns – public tributes to veterans displayed along downtown streets – but, in the Town of Rockland’s case, the specific organizing body is the local Lester White American Legion Post and its “Veteran Tribute” program. DeWitt credits Gene Froehlich for his exemplary support of the program as part of the Legion.
TO SERVE Dean DeWitt, the fourth generation of his family to serve in the military, has spent several years honoring local vets with banners. Adam Fithers photo
A desire to help veterans
DeWitt’s personal journey includes serving in Iraq. The experience and its aftermath have made him care deeply about helping the community. “I want to start a men’s support circle, because this misconception that men have to hide their feelings and emotions is a disservice individually as well as on a community level,” DeWitt said. “I want to bring that awareness to the area and start helping men be better men for themselves, for their family and for the community.”
The banner project requires volunteers to assist DeWitt, especially with mounting the banners up on the poles. Several people have stepped up to lend needed equipment and bodily assistance. In addition to Froehlich, DeWitt praised James Vagnone, Rich Ward, the Pekny family and many more. He also plans to start a fundraiser to prevent families from having to pay an additional $250 to replace aged banners to honor their veterans. Warranties are for three years, but the banners have proven in other areas to last six to eight years before replacement is needed. That allows DeWitt to regularly rotate the banners. “Every veteran deserves their time on Main Street,” he said.
DeWitt is the fourth generation of his family to serve in the military. He did a tour in Iraq after joining the military when he was 20. He has vivid memories of turning 21 while in bootcamp and celebrating with his fellow servicemen.
Other plans in addition to the project
DeWitt has plans to plant an orchard. ”I’m getting back in touch with my roots,” he said, laughing. The DeWitts have been farmers for generations. Up on Elm Hollow, the family had a farm as far back as the Revolutionary War. “There’s a letter in the Smithsonian from George and Martha Washington, thanking my great grandfather for supplying the best wheat and flour to the Continental Army,” DeWitt said.”Martha requested that the flour of the Dewitts and Greenfield be sent at the earliest convenience.” He firmly believes in the power of working with the soil.
“To future veterans, specifically combat veterans coming home, you need to get your hands dirty in a different way. You need to get back in touch with nature,” DeWitt averred. “You need to continue your physical exercise and get back in touch with nature.”
DeWitt has high hopes for his banner program, for his farm and for his men’s support group. To learn more about these efforts, call or text him at 845-439-1234.