FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2019
Contact: John Lyon 845-638-5645

U.S. Navy Veteran Damaris Trinidad Presented with First Rockland County Veteran Pride Award

New City, NY, - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Veteran Service Agency Director Susan Branam presented the first ever Veteran Pride Award to U.S. Navy Veteran Damaris Trinidad. The Veteran Pride Award is presented to recognize distinguished LGBTQ former service members who empower the next generation of military veterans to continue to serve beyond their time in uniform.

Damaris was born in 1967 in "Spanish Harlem" in New York City and entered the U.S. Navy in 1986 serving as Company Commander of her boot camp, attending A-School in Pensacola to become a Cryptologic Technician, and serving at Guantanamo Bay where she became and E-5 and served as the NADAP (Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention) coordinator for her command.

Damaris most recently became a mentor for the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program, where she helps other veterans through outreach and counseling. She is a resident of Pearl River.

"Damaris was raised to love our country and defend it. And this award is just one way to acknowledge the struggle she faced while doing so," said County Executive Day. "I am so thankful that Damaris is involved in the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Program. We all need someone to talk to, someone to vent to, someone who understands what we are going through and what we have dealt with."

Damaris spoke about her experiences in the U.S. Navy as well as her decision to volunteer with the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Program challenging others to get involved, "It starts with us; making our voice heard via our vote and our actions. I chose to reach out to my fellow veterans and participate in this mentorship program. How will you make your voice heard? What will you do for the future of our country? How will you address the issues of our returning vets?"

Damaris was also presented with a Certificate of Recognition from Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann and a Proclamation from New York State Senator David Carlucci acknowledging her service to other veterans through the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Program.

"Thank you to Rockland County, the Veterans Service Agency, and the Pride Center for hosting today's event to honor and recognize veteran Damaris Trinidad with the Veteran Pride Award," said Senator David Carlucci. "It is important that our county and our state shed light on the difficulties our LGBTQ+ veterans like Damaris face when they have to hide who they are or who they love. Damaris is deserving of a proclamation from the New York State Senate because she did not only serve her country and overcome great adversity, but she continues to give back to fellow veterans every day as a peer-to-peer counselor with the Joseph P. Dwyer Program."

"We all need role models to relate to and Damaris is someone who we should all be proud of. Not only for her service in the U.S. Navy but for the care she gives to her mother and sister who are both fighting cancer. You make Rockland County proud," concluded County Executive Day.

The entire award presentation can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/31svtjp

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