While it is important to appreciate our veterans every day of the year, the Veterans Day holiday offers a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by so many brave men and women in defense of our country and our way of life.
Veterans Day is celebrated each year specifically at the top of the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month — Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. — to mark the exact moment in 1918 when the Armistice with Germany took effect and World War I ended.
Dutchess County has a proud history of honoring its veterans. In fact, the Society of the Cincinnati — the first veterans’ fraternal organization in the U.S. — was organized in 1783 at Mount Gulian in Beacon by Continental officers who fought in the American Revolution, including Patriot General Friedrich Von Steuben, whose headquarters were located at Mount Gulian in 1782–83.
Listed below are some veteran-owned businesses in Dutchess County, along with some events and programs that honor and support veterans and thank them for their service.
If you’re thinking of a fun, educational day trip for the whole family, be sure to check out this “Honoring Veterans” one-day Dutchess travel itinerary.
To access the Dutchess County Office of Veterans Services, click here.
• 1915 Wine Cellar, Poughkeepsie: Opened by Air Force veteran Russell Beck, his wife, Elke, and son Kai, 1915 Wine Cellar is an upscale wine bar where guests can explore an expertly curated selection of wines from around the world, including many that are not ordinarily available by the glass. Located in a beautiful space on the lower level of the recently restored historic building at 40 Cannon Street, 1915 Wine Cellar combines fine wine with exceptional food, featuring a menu inspired by seasonal ingredients and global flavors to create an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Brasserie 292, Poughkeepsie: After serving in the U.S. Army, Chef Charles Fells began his career in the hospitality in 1997 and acquired Brasserie 292 in 2015. Located in the heart of Downtown Poughkeepsie and within walking distance of attractions such as the MJN Convention Center (formerly the Mid-Hudson Civic Center) and the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Brasserie 292 offers a broad range of crowd-pleasing menu items in the tradition of a classic French brasserie. The Shrimp Provencal — sauteed with olive oil, toasted garlic, oven-roasted tomatoes, Espelette pepper, white beans, fresh herbs, house-made cavatelli and baby spinach — sounds particularly scrumptious. Brasserie 292 follows a simple philosophy: "Use fine, local ingredients coupled with traditional cookery to create an incomparable and exceptional dining experience." Bon appetit!
• Hudson & Packard, Poughkeepsie: Located in the middle of Downtown Poughkeepsie, this pizza place — whose name is derived from two prominent Detroit-based car companies in the early days of the auto industry — was founded by Culinary Institute of America graduate Charlie Webb, whose eight years in the U.S. Army included two deployments in the Middle East. Opened in 2020, Hudson & Packard rose quickly to international fame, as its thicker-crusted, square-panned masterpieces placed second in the Pan Division at the 2022 International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas and third in the same competition in 2023. With a host of innovative toppings — the sweet and spicy Hudson Hornet features Mike’s Hot Honey, house-pickled jalapenos and pepperoni — there is a specialty pizza to satisfy every appetite. Staff Sergeant Webb’s story was featured in Episode 2 of the Discovery Network show “Veteran’s Playbook,” which highlights the accomplishments of veteran entrepreneurs. If you haven’t tried Hudson & Packard’s delicious Detroit-style pizza, you need to make it a priority the next time you’re in the Hudson Valley. Seriously, it’s that good.
• Matcha Thomas, Beacon: This family-owned and veteran-owned wellness teahouse proudly uses only premium, ceremonial-grade matcha — green tea leaves that have been roasted and ground into a powder — grown in the Uji Region in Japan. All ingredients are vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. The menu includes matcha lattes, specialty drinks, and a rotating selection of seasonally inspired bubble teas. The Matcha Thomas — their signature latte — is a creamy and soothing combination of a plant milk of your choice blended with Chowa Matcha and a coconut and vanilla cream base and lightly sweetened with maple. Yummy!
• Norma’s Bakery & Cafe, Wappingers Falls: Owners Denise Plowman — who is a former U.S. Marine — and Crystal River Williams both have pastry arts degrees and pour their passion for natural and local food into their work. Norma’s — which was named in honor of Crystal’s beloved grandmother – offers pastries baked fresh daily and custom-made cakes, along with a mouthwatering assortment of hot and cold sandwiches and egg platters. The oven-baked New Yorker sandwich features melted cheddar cheese, baked scrambled eggs and your choice of thick-cut bacon, spicy bacon, smoked ham, vegan sausage or avocado served on your choice of bread. Wash it all down with a selection from Norma’s expansive coffee and espresso menu served with their own line of homemade syrups. They offer organic soy milk, almond milk and Hudson Valley Fresh dairy products.
• Soukup Farms, Dover Plains: Soukup Farms has been producing and selling pure New York Maple Syrup for three generations. Nowadays, the husband-and-wife tandem of Mark and Jennifer Soukup — Jennifer is a veteran — are running the operation. Their products include an assortment of maple-infused items, including mustard, barbecue sauce and, of course, maple candy. Soukup Farms has hosted its annual Harvest Festival every October for the last 10 years, featuring hayrides, pick-your-own pumpkins and a corn maze. Keep an eye out for updates on the New York State Maple Producers Association's 28th annual Maple Weekends, which are scheduled for March 21–22 and 28–29, 2026. It's a celebration of all things maple and the folks who produce them. Sweet!
Related: To see a list of more veteran-owned businesses in Dutchess, click here.
• Free Screening of the Silent Film “The Little American” (Thursday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m. at The Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Poughkeepsie): The Bardavon and the New York Theatre Organ Society will honor veterans with a free screening of the 1917 silent film “The Little American” starring Mary Pickford and directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The screening will be accompanied by internationally recognized organist Peter Krasinski playing the theater’s famous Wurlitzer pipe organ, which was specially designed for The Bardavon when it was installed in 1928. (It is one of only several theater organs in the country still playing in its original location).
• Mindfulness Walk (Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. at Poets' Walk Park, Red Hook): This event is hosted by Guardian Revival, a Beacon-based non-profit organization that strives to preserve the mental well-being of veterans and first responders — the guardians — at no cost. Join fellow guardians and their families on a free 2.2-mile hike through Poets' Walk Park. Guardian Revival is led by co-founder and president Alex Othmer, a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy who served eight years as a Navy SEAL and was combat disabled before beginning a difficult transition back to civilian life. His experiences prompted him to start Guardian Revival, which provides free, non-traditional therapy programs for veterans and first responders. These programs include Boots & Paws (therapeutic companion dogs), Another Summit (therapy through outdoor adventure), and Encore (therapy through music creation). The organization is featured in Episode 5 of “Veteran’s Playbook.”
• Complimentary Meal at The Culinary Institute of America (Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the CIA, Hyde Park): The CIA, the nation’s foremost culinary college, was founded in 1946 to serve and educate veterans returning home following World War II. The private, not‐for-profit college continues this tradition today with its dedication to enrolling veteran students. To celebrate Veterans Day, all veterans will receive a complimentary lunch or dinner on Nov. 11 in these CIA restaurants (alcohol not included): American Bounty Restaurant (reservations required); The Bocuse Restaurant (reservations required); Apple Pie Bakery Cafe (up to $20); and The Egg (up to $15).
• Red, White, and You! Veterans Appreciation Picnic (Every autumn, date and location to be announced): Stay tuned for details on the 2026 iteration of this free annual event, which is presented by the Dutchess County Division of Veterans Services and is open to all veterans and one guest each. Enjoy an afternoon of comradery, food and music. The annual event attracts several hundred veterans each year.
• Veterans Retreats and Workshops (Every summer at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Rhinebeck): Stay tuned for dates and details on these fantastic retreats in the summer of 2026 at Omega’s scenic and serene campus. The Omega Institute is a unique educational retreat center that offers workshops, professional training, and wellness and rejuvenation retreats. Omega hosts several programs which are of particular benefit to veterans and their families, and scholarships are available specifically for veterans. Situated on more than 250 acres and open from May through October, Omega's all-inclusive stays include a choice of accommodations; farm-to-table meals each day; classes in meditation, yoga, and tai chi; opportunities for all sorts of outdoor activities at the lakeside waterfront, gardens, and nature trails; and access to the Ram Dass Library, the Sanctuary, and the Omega Center for Sustainable Living. The Wellness Center offers massage, reflexology, energy balancing, reiki, and more.
