For Cheryl Jassak-Huther, longtime Town Clerk of New Hartford, public service has always been personal. “It’s about making sure our veterans and their families know we haven’t forgotten them,” she tells Mohawk Valley Living. “We owe them that—and so much more.”
A Sea of Flags
Each June, Cheryl leads Flag Day at the New Hartford Veterans Memorial Park, where over 3,000 American flags are placed in honor or memory of service members. “Every flag represents a name, a story,” she says. “It’s a powerful moment of community pride and remembrance.”
Honoring Gold Star Families
Cheryl also helped design and fundraise for a new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, set to be unveiled September 28, 2025. The monument will honor the 12 soldiers from Oneida County lost in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Service Beyond the Spotlight
In addition to veterans’ initiatives, Cheryl has raised thousands for local causes and helped secure grants to improve town infrastructure.
“I love this town,” she says. “If I can make a difference—for our veterans, our families, or our future—I’m all in.”
Check your local town or city website for Memorial Day events—many communities host parades, ceremonies, and gatherings to honor those who served.
