2024 Honorees
Timothy Gilnack – U.S. Army
Timothy Gilnack grew up in Hyde Park and graduated from FDR High School in 1986. While in high school, he joined the U.S. Army on the delayed entry program. He went to Ft Benning GA. for basic training and AIT as an 11C (Mortarman). Tim’s duty stations were Fort Carson, Camp Casey, Fort Cambell and Ayers Kaserne (The Rock). His units were 1/8th Infantry 4th ID, 5/20 Infantry 2nd ID, 2/187 Infantry 101 Airborne Division, 5/5 Cav 3 AD and 2/35 Armor 4th ID. Tim deployed with 5/5 Cav 3rd AD to Desert Storm. His service ended in 1993. After the military, Tim worked in a meatroom wrapping meat while attending EMT class. After certifying as an EMT, he worked for an ambulance company. Tim was hired in January of 1998 by the Fairview Fire District as a firefighter, He retired April 2024 as Chief of the Fire District. Tim celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife Antonia. The couple have a daughter Catarina..
Vincent Verderosa – U.S. Navy
Vincent Verderosa is a Navy veteran with almost 10 years of service as a flight deck crew member (ABH), serving on CVN 77 George H.W. Bush, Naval station Europe/Rota. He served on two combat deployments throughout Syria, Iraq, the Middle East, Israel, and Europe , Vincent served on foreign deployment during Operation Inherent Resolve. He received the Humanitarian Award and Battle Efficiency (Battle E) Award, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and 2 Navy Achievement Medals.
Gregory Liu – USAF
Gregory grew up locally and attended Arlington High School. He graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a BS in physics, then enlisted in USAF Officer Training School. He was stationed at Griffiss AFB, NY. Gregory flew combat missions in Operation Desert Storm as a B-52 Navigator/Bombardier. He separated from the USAF as a Captain, and eventually went on to serve as an FBI Special Agent in Manhattan during 9/11. Gregory relocated back to Dutchess County where he works as an Investigator with the Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office. Gregory met his wife, who is also a Veteran through the Air Force. The two have 2 sons, one who is active duty in the USAF.
Ron Ymbras – U.S. Army
Ten days after graduating from Yonkers High School, Ronny Ymbras joined the U.S. Army (06 July, 1966.) He completed basic training at Fort Gordon, GA, followed by Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) and Wheeled Vehicle Mechanics School at Fort Jackson, SC. From there, he was shipped to Fort Bragg, NC to the 82nd Airborne Division for paratrooper training. After seven months, Ronny went to Fort Campbell, KY to the 101st Airborne Division. Three months later, the Division arrived in the Republic of South Vietnam. Ron and his unit went to Cu Chi (a town near Saigon, with a network of underground tunnels), Quang Tri City in Quang Tri Province, and experienced the Tet Offensive in January of 1968. On March 28th, friendly fire killed 13 soldiers in his squad and wounded 26. Ronny promised to honor his fallen brothers and provide a tribute to the 58,497 servicemen and women who died in the Vietnam War. Over forty years later, on Veterans Day 2010, Sgt. Ronald Ymbras received two Purple Heart Medals, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, and six other medals and five citations. He published a book with his oldest son, Matthew, called “Fallen, Never Forgotten – Vietnam Memorials in the USA” which he published in 2016.
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