GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — The second annual Vet Fest was held at the historic Grahamsville Fairgrounds on August 5.

The popular event was sponsored by the Sullivan County Veterans Coalition, Vet2Vet of Sullivan County and Action Toward Independence (ATI), all geared to providing resources and community information to area vets and their families.

According to Deborah Worden, executive director of ATI, the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Program at Vet2Vet is peer run, “run by vets for vets.” Veteran peer advocates help fellow veterans and their families “navigate through various organizations and agencies to connect them with help and support.”

Joseph Patrick Dwyer (September 28, 1976-June 28, 2008) was an American soldier who became famous for a photograph of him rendering aid to an ailing Iraqi child.

Dwyer enlisted in the United States Army in the aftermath of 9/11 and later served as a combat medic in the 3rd Infantry Division.

In his final year on earth, while suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) he reportedly passed away from taking prescription medications and inhaling fumes from a computer cleaner aerosol.

Under the banner “We are Dwyer,” the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program was established to “empower veterans and their families to find passion, purpose and hope as they transition from military to civilian life,” according to the Veterans One-Stop Center website.

Stephen Murphy, a veteran advocate with the Sullivan County program, was on hand with his beloved service dog Eva, a four-year-old terrier mix who helps him navigate living with PTSD and short-term memory loss as a result of his military service. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 2009 to 2014, including two years in war-torn Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

“She helps me when I’m under stress, and reminds me when it’s time to take my medications,” he said of Eva’s devotion to his well-being in post-military life.

His take on the second Vet Fest?

“It’s a great way for the whole community to finally get together and meet each other, and see other vets who are in the community.

“One of the biggest things that we do is the Joseph P. Dwyer Program,” he continued. “It helps to reduce isolation and associated mental illness among veterans. There are tons of resources out there!”

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SSG Paul Bottaro of Liberty was a hit with his 1944 Ford JP2 WWII-era Jeep and a replica 30-caliber machine gun.

He was accompanied by comrade-in-arms SSG Robert English of Wappingers Falls. Both veterans of later conflicts were kitted out in WWII period-correct uniforms.

Bottaro joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1985, served with the 320th Evac, and during his final two years was posted on active duty for a few months just outside the city of Kirkuk, Iraq.

“They used to send in mortar and rocket rounds, anything they could shoot over the wire, and one day hit an ammo dump,” he recalled of serving in Iraq. “It was a humongous fire—old aircraft bombs, 500-pounders exploding,” he added as a somber postscript.

His take on Vet Fest and on service?

“It’s like an extended family… everything on your uniform, you’ve earned; nothing is given to you.”

For information about veterans’ services offered by Action Toward Independence and Vet2Vet, call 845/794-4228 or visit www.atitoday.org.

For veterans in a crisis situation, immediately call 9-8-8 and press 1 for a qualified responder who can listen and help.

For more photos, visit www.riverreporter.com.