He conducts outreach activities to find these veterans, families, and widows and files for compensation and benefits to which they are entitled.
HUDSON, NY, January 16, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Gary L. Flaherty, CSM, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Flaherty celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Flaherty has found success as the director of the Columbia County Veterans Service Agency since 2013. The organization is based in Hudson, New York, and provides various benefits to veterans, active duty members, and their families, such as counseling services, reintegration upon arrival home from service, benefits services for widows, referrals for a variety of federal, state, and local programs, and more. As part of Mr. Flaherty's responsibilities, he conducts outreach activities to find these veterans, families, and widows and files for compensation and benefits to which they are entitled. Additionally, he counsels veterans, manages the food pantry, and is involved with several programs, including the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program, a widows' program, and an equine therapy program for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
As a dedicated civil advocate, Mr. Flaherty is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America and a member of his local American Legion. He currently chairs the New York's 19th Congressional District Veterans' Advisory Council since 2022.
Previously, Mr. Flaherty was a regional commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, served on the board of directors of the Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth and the Special Olympics in Washington for 15 years, co-founded the Korean Special Olympics, was an elected town supervisor in Canaan for four years, and a county board of supervisors for four years.
While coming of age, Mr. Flaherty resided in a community in West Virginia where many were encouraged to serve their country. He, alongside his brother and two uncles, enlisted in the U.S. Army, and Mr. Flaherty progressed to command sergeant major, the second-highest enlisted rank, before retiring. During his tenure, he completed three tours overseas, was a tank gunner in Germany, spent time in Vietnam, and was a commandant of the Eighth Army Wightman NCO Academy in Korea.
Mr. Flaherty garnered a bachelor's degree in business from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1979. In light of his accomplishments and community service, he has received over 100 accolades. Among them, he was selected by the Junior Chamber of Commerce as an Outstanding Young Man of America in 1973, received the Lincoln Award from the Young Republicans of Columbia County, New York, in 2023, and was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame in 2017. Mr. Flaherty was also decorated with numerous medals from the U.S. Army, including the Legion of Merit, a Soldier's Medal for Heroism, six Army Commendation Medals, and a Bronze Star Medal.
Grateful for his accomplishments, Mr. Flaherty is most proud of his family, including his three daughters, one who served her country in the U.S. Army, another daughter, a family counselor, and his wife Marietta, whom he recently married in September 2023, now giving him five daughters in all.
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