Sharon Center School meets veterans

Sharon Center School meets veterans
Veteran Stephen Valyou was honored by students at Sharon Center School on Thursday, Nov. 10. 
Photo by Leila Hawken

In a program organized by the Student Council in observance of Veterans Day, students at Sharon Center School (SCS) gathered for an assembly on Thursday, Nov. 10, to honor the service of two local veterans.

As it turned out, both veterans being honored for their service had children presently enrolled at the school, and 11 other veterans being individually recognized were relatives of students or staff, adding a sense of community.

Honored for their service were Stephen Valyou who had earned the rank of Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army and Tate Begley, who earned the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Marines. Valyou is the father of SCS student Ashlynn, 9 (soon to be 10), and Begley is the father of SCS students Gunnar, 11, and Kora, 8.

Valyou joined the military following the 9/11 attack, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He spoke of loss brought by wounds, the victim of sniper fire that impacted his spine and caused him to lose use of his legs. He had served as a skydiver in the service. Before his injury, he had done 64 jumps, injured only once when he had broken a leg.

Other injuries endured and recovered from were due to exploding IUDs on occasion.

He told his audience that his son and daughter have no memory of him when he could walk.

In June of 2016, Valyou was presented with a “Smart Home,” in Millerton, fully handicapped accessible, presented to him and his family through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. On move-in day, he recalled, the community turned out and saw him skydive into the front yard of his family’s new home. Favorable wind conditions and good fortune combined with his skill and he hit his target, he said.

Representing the third generation of his family’s military service, honoree Begley spoke of patriotism and his family’s commitment to fighting for and protecting the country. He served for four years in the Marines.

Begley noted that this Veterans Day represents the 247th year in the history of the U.S. military.

Related Articles Around the Web

Latest News

Racecars roar in NASCAR’s return to Lime Rock Park

High-speed action made for a weekend of excitement at Lime Rock Park Friday and Saturday, June 27-28.

Photo by Simon Markow

LAKEVILLE — For the first time since 2011, Lime Rock Park hosted National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing events June 27 and 28.

It was billed as the largest event in modern track history with an estimated 20,000 fans attending.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joseph Robert Meehan

SALISBURY — Joseph Robert Meehan the 2nd,photographer, college professor and nearly 50 year resident of Salisbury, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizon on June 17, 2025. He was 83.

He was the son of Joseph Meehan the 1st and his mother, Anna Burawa of Levittown, New York, and sister Joanne, of Montgomery, New York.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Olive Zutter Murphy

STANFORDVILLE, New York — It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Olive Zutter Murphy, who went home to be with the Lord on June 16, 2025, at the age of 99.

She was born in Sharon, Connecticut on Nov. 20, 1925, and was a long time resident of the Dutchess County area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chore Service hosts annual garden party fundraiser

Chore Service hosted 250 supporters at it’s annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Bob Ellwood

On Saturday, June 21, Mort Klaus, longtime Sharon resident, hosted 250 enthusiastic supporters of Northwest Corner’s beloved nonprofit, Chore Service at his stunning 175-acre property. Chore Service provides essential non-medical support to help older adults and those with disabilities maintain their independence and quality of life in their own homes.

Jane MacLaren, Executive Director, and Dolores Perotti, Board President, personally welcomed arriving attendees. The well-stocked bar and enticing hors d’oeuvres table were popular destinations as the crowd waited for the afternoon’s presentations.

Keep ReadingShow less