Honor A Veteran

Albany County Honors Veteran Hal M. Silverstein

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin, Congressman Michael McNulty and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee commemorated veteran Hal M. Silverstein at a ceremony held in the Albany County Office Building on Monday, August 4, 2008.

Silverstein was born in Syracuse on February 5, 1944. Upon graduating from Syracuse University, he joined the United States Navy. He attended Defense Information School before being deployed to Vietnam as a combat photojournalist with the Navy Seals. He served from July 8, 1966 to June 24, 1970.

He was the recipient of various accolades for his service including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Following his naval service, Silverstein took a position as the director of Albany Housing for Homeless Veterans. He later served as the director of the New York State Vietnam Memorial. He was also a painter who used his gift of artistic expression to depict the character and stories of fellow veterans. His works were displayed at an exhibition at the Vietnam Memorial Gallery in the late 1990s.

Silverstein was an active member of the Tri-County Council of Vietnam Veterans, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Honor-A-Veteran ceremony is held every first Monday of the month to honor a deceased veteran of the community.

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