Newsroom

It seemed more like Thanksgiving than Veteran's Day at NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital today as a family gathered to thank the Hospital staff for its support during difficult times last year.

Taline and Zareh Guekjian and their three young daughters were on hand for a ceremony to hang an American flag in honor of the Hospital. Zareh Guekijan presented the flag to the Hospital in thanks for the support it gave his wife and daughters while he served in the Navy Reserves Iraq last year.

At that time, their oldest daughter, Patille, 4, was hospitalized with pneumonia and the staff in the Hospital's Emergency Department, where Taline works as a nurse, took turns helping care for the two younger children, Decille, 3 and Noel, 2.

Zareh Guekjian officially presented the hospital with the American flag that flew at his base as a token of his thanks on Veterans Day.

"I am very grateful for all that they did for my family while I was away," said Zareh, who lives in Cortlandt with his family and works as a postal supervisor.

NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital President John C. Federspiel said that the Guekjian’s story was an example of the special culture at the Hospital which encouraged collaboration.

"We are like a family," said Federspiel. "Taline is part of our family, and the staff did just what any one of us would do when a family member needs help."