Gary Flaherty
Gary L. Flaherty
Director (Retired) | Columbia County Veterans Service Agency
Gary L. Flaherty, a decorated military figure with more than 20 years of service, grew up in an extremely patriotic community in West Virginia in the 1940s and 50s. His brother and two uncles were in the military, leading him to enlist in the U.S. Army at 17 in 1961. He built his career until he retired as a command sergeant major—the highest enlisted rank—in 1984. Over the course of his military tenure, he’s accrued several accolades, including Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medals, the Bronze Star Medal, and was recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Additionally, he received a Soldier’s Medal for Heroism for his time in Vietnam for risking is life to save fellow soldiers from friendly fire and the Legion of Merit for transforming the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy in Korea into the best combat-led academy in the Army.
Subsequently, Mr. Flaherty worked on providing chemical and biological protection to the Southeast during the first Gulf War. When the war ended, he was elected as his town’s supervisor; because he was successful, he was invited to become the director of the Columbia County Veterans Services Agency, serving from 2013 to 2024. Since 2022, he’s excelled as the chairman of New York’s 19th Congressional District Veterans’ Advisory Council and has been the chief administrator of the Veterans Program in Oneonta, New York, since 2025.
Through his work, Mr. Flaherty conducts outreach activities to find veterans, their families, and widows compensation or benefits; counsels veterans; oversees veterans’ food pantry; and provides horse therapy for veterans with PTSD. In addition, his programs include the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project, a widows’ program, and an equine therapy program at the Columbia County Veterans Service Agency. Outside his primary endeavors, he’s a life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Disabled American Veterans, a member of the American Legion since 2019, and has previously served on the board of directors for Special Olympics Washington.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Flaherty strives to continue assisting the veterans’ community. He deeply values God, his country, and family—which consists of five children, 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Press Release
Gary L. Flaherty, CSM, Presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who
Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Gary L. Flaherty, CSM, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Flaherty celebrates many years’ experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Flaherty has found success as the director of the Columbia County Veterans Service Agency since 2013. The organization is based in Hudson, New York, and provides various benefits to veterans, active duty members, and their families, such as counseling services, reintegration upon arrival home from service, benefits services for widows, referrals for a variety of federal, state, and local programs, and more. As part of Mr. Flaherty’s responsibilities, he conducts outreach activities to find these veterans, families, and widows and files for compensation and benefits to which they are entitled. Additionally, he counsels veterans, manages the food pantry, and is involved with several programs, including the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program, a widows’ program, and an equine therapy program for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
As a dedicated civil advocate, Mr. Flaherty is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America and a member of his local American Legion. He currently chairs the New York’s 19th Congressional District Veterans’ Advisory Council since 2022.
Previously, Mr. Flaherty was a regional commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, served on the board of directors of the Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth and the Special Olympics in Washington for 15 years, co-founded the Korean Special Olympics, was an elected town supervisor in Canaan for four years, and a county board of supervisors for four years.
While coming of age, Mr. Flaherty resided in a community in West Virginia where many were encouraged to serve their country. He, alongside his brother and two uncles, enlisted in the U.S. Army, and Mr. Flaherty progressed to command sergeant major, the second-highest enlisted rank, before retiring. During his tenure, he completed three tours overseas, was a tank gunner in Germany, spent time in Vietnam, and was a commandant of the Eighth Army Wightman NCO Academy in Korea.
Mr. Flaherty garnered a bachelor’s degree in business from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1979. In light of his accomplishments and community service, he has received over 100 accolades. Among them, he was selected by the Junior Chamber of Commerce as an Outstanding Young Man of America in 1973, received the Lincoln Award from the Young Republicans of Columbia County, New York, in 2023, and was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame in 2017. Mr. Flaherty was also decorated with numerous medals from the U.S. Army, including the Legion of Merit, a Soldier’s Medal for Heroism, six Army Commendation Medals, and a Bronze Star Medal.
Grateful for his accomplishments, Mr. Flaherty is most proud of his family, including his three daughters, one who served her country in the U.S. Army, another daughter, a family counselor, and his wife Marietta, whom he recently married in September 2023, now giving him five daughters in all.
