Poughkeepsie Post Attends Franklin D. Roosevelt Birthday Commemoration
By Martin C. Hochhauser
On a cold but clear day on January 30, 2017 dignitaries came to Hyde Park, NY to commemorate the birth of our 32nd president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Born on January 30, 1882, this year we celebrated FDR’s 135th birthday. It was a beautiful ceremony as The Long Gray Line of West Point cadets came marching into the Rose Garden to the beat of a solemn drummer. Following this majestic entrance came over a dozen dignitaries who presented wreaths to honor President Roosevelt. The local community was on the periphery of the Rose Garden to witness this annual event.
Among the twelve groups presenting wreaths, one group was the Jewish War Veterans of the United States, Pvt. Herman Siegel Post #625 of Poughkeepsie, NY. Representing the Post was Past Commander Ralph Schwartz and Chief of Staff Martin Hochhauser.
Our Post was named after a local resident, Herman Siegel, who was born and bred on May Street in the City of Poughkeepsie. Born in 1925, he graduated Poughkeepsie High School in June 1943 and joined the Army. Eleven months later, on May 18, 1944, at age 19, Pvt. Herman Siegel was killed in action in Anzio, Italy. He was the first member of the local Jewish community to die in World War II.
In addition to Commander Schwartz presenting the JWV wreath, Chief of Staff Hochhauser placed a stone on FDR’s tombstone in the Jewish 
tradition to indicate that a visitor has come to show respect, that the deceased has not been forgotten and to rekindle the memories of the past.
An additional wreath and flowers were presented by the family of FDR and finally the Presidential wreath was presented by Brigadier General Cindy R. Jebb, Dean of the Academic Board, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.
The formal event was concluded with salutary volleys of an Army firing squad followed by the sounding of Taps. The Long Gray Line marched out of the Rose Garden once again to the sound of a drummer.
Finally, everyone was invited back to the Visitors’ Center to partake in two huge birthday cakes and hot beverages.
