IRAQ WAR VETERAN CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN HOSTS VETERANS APPRECIATION LUNCHEON HONORING HUDSON VALLEY HEROES ON VETERANS DAY
Iraq War Veteran Congressman Pat Ryan Hosts Veterans Appreciation Luncheon Honoring Hudson Valley Heroes on Veterans Day
Last weekend, Congressman Pat Ryan hosted more than 100 of his fellow Hudson Valley veterans at the Orange County Veterans Center in celebration of Veterans Day
Ryan honored three Hudson Valley veterans for their service and heroism – SFC Dan Dambrozio, SPC Nate Grant, and PV2 Gavin Walters
Ryan is an Iraq War combat veteran, co-chair of the House Democratic Veterans Caucus, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and led the charge to save Castle Point VA earlier this year
Ryan also fought tooth and nail to get local hero PFC Charles Johnson posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor he won in Korea for saving the lives of eight American soldiers
NEW WINDSOR, NY – Last weekend, in celebration of Veterans Day, Congressman Pat Ryan hosted more than 100 of his fellow Hudson Valley veterans at the newly renovated Orange County Veterans Center for his Veterans Appreciation Luncheon. Ryan was also joined by local veterans leaders and advocates, elected officials, and members of the Poughkeepsie JROTC. At the event, Ryan honored three Hudson Valley veterans for their service and heroism – SFC Dan Dambrozio, SPC Nate Grant, and PV2 Gavin Walters.
“We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude we can never repay. I’m proud to honor three fellow Hudson Valley veterans that represent the absolute best among us – selfless Patriots, who love our country with such ferocity they risked their lives to defend it,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “On Veterans Day we honor millions of veterans nationwide for their service, their sacrifice, and their moral fortitude. It was a true honor to recognize Dan Dambrozio, Nate Grant, and Gavin Walters this weekend. They are the embodiment of American excellence – and we must pledge today and every day to leave no veteran behind. Whether it’s standing with our local heroes to reverse Trump’s Castle Point VA closure, securing funds to build housing for homeless vets or fighting to protect VA health care, I pledge to always stand up for our veterans – just like they stood up for us.”
“Our country honors and recognizes us on one day, and for the Veterans, Families, and Caregivers, the other days may seem invisible,” said Gavin Walters, USAF Veteran, Dwyer Coalition Executive Director and one of Congressman Ryan’s honorees. “But, I want to say you are seen and you are heard; the fight to remain relevant can only be done by our leaders like Congressman Ryan and our community like the Hudson Valley. Through our strength and love for our brothers and sisters, we will remain united beyond the uniform.”
“I would just like say thank you Pat Ryan and your team it was a great ceremony,” said Dan Dambrozio, Army Veteran, commander of the American Legion 1308 in Pine Bush, and one of Congressman Ryan’s honorees. “I know we all received these awards, but I am just speaking for myself; this is for all veterans.”
SFC Dan Dambrozio is an Army veteran who served in Vietnam from November 1968 to November 1969. After returning home, he continued his Army service for ten years and later served 18 years with the New York Army National Guard, 156th Field Artillery, completing 28 years of military service. Recently elected as Orange County Commander, he was recognized as Legionnaire of the Year for his leadership at both the post and county levels. Under his leadership, Post 1308 completed a $100,000 renovation that more than doubled the size of its facility and expanded its ability to serve local veterans and their families. He was involved in creating the new Veterans Monument at Pine Bush Town Park, organizing the Hometown Heroes Banner program, and coordinating annual Memorial Day parades. In 2025, he was honored with a Quilt of Valor from the Quilts of Valor Foundation in recognition of his service to the nation.
SPC Nate Grant, known across the Hudson Valley as “Nate the Great,” is a proud U.S. Army veteran whose life of service extends well beyond his time in uniform. He turned down a baseball scholarship to Fisk University to care for his mother before being drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. Serving as a tunnel rat, one of the most dangerous combat roles, Grant showed exceptional courage and determination that continue to define him today. After his military service, Grant settled in the Hudson Valley and became a dedicated leader in the veteran community. A Life Member of VFW Post 170 and both Commander and Life Member of American Legion Post 37 in Poughkeepsie, he has devoted countless hours to supporting local veterans and their families. He organizes holiday drives and food distributions, runs weekly “Burger Burn” fundraisers, maintains the Hero Garden memorial, and visits schools through Wreaths Across America to honor those who served. Grant has also been recognized as WPDH’s “Vet Who Rocks” and honored by Weekend for Warriors in 2025 for his ongoing leadership and service.
PV2 Gavin Walters is a disabled Air Force veteran, non-profit leader, and statewide coalition builder. He serves as the Executive Director of the Dwyer Coalition for Military Veterans & Families, Inc., a New York-based nonprofit focused on advancing peer support, advocacy, and family-centered initiatives for Veterans and military-connected communities. He enlisted in the Air Force after high school, and although his military service was cut short due to a medical discharge, his commitment to service never wavered. He earned his Master of Social Work (MSW) from Adelphi University in 2020 and has since worked to ensure no Veteran is left behind. Gavin directed the Vet2Vet of Ulster County Program also known as PFC Joseph P Dwyer Peer Support Project, where he led peer wellness, PTSD groups, mindfulness activities, and Veteran outreach. He also facilitated the NYS Dwyer Coalition, helping connect and support Joseph P Dwyer Programs across all of the 62 counties within New York. One of Gavin’s most powerful public efforts includes orchestrating and completing two 56-mile awareness walks from Kingston to Albany in 22 hours without sleep to raise awareness around Veteran mental health, homelessness, and suicide, which inspired the annual Ulster County Veterans Walk-A-Mile in My Shoes event.
Congressman Ryan honored each veteran with a Congressional Record in recognition of their selfless service to the Hudson Valley and the entire country.
Congressman Ryan is an Army veteran who served two combat tours in Iraq, and is the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in Congress. He is also the co-chair and co-founder of the House Democratic Veterans Caucus, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and recently successfully fought Trump’s VA to reopen 20 critical in-patient beds at Castle Point VA. Ryan also fought hard to award PFC Charles Johnson – a Millbrook native – the Medal of Honor he earned for his heroism in the Korean War, saving the lives of eight American soldiers.
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