Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has named United States Army Sgt. Maj. MaryKay Messenger, a Newburgh native, and current Milton resident with July’s Citizen of the Month Award.
“I have had the honor and privilege of working with Sgt. Maj. MaryKay Messenger for many years. There hasn’t been an event, whether it be a memorial or a celebration in Orange County for which MaryKay has not been front and center,” said Neuhaus. “Our county and country have been blessed with her beautiful voice, and although she is retiring, I know she will remain as active as ever in our community.”
Messenger is well-known as an amazing soloist throughout the Hudson Valley region and beyond. She was the premier vocalist for the United States Military Academy Band in West Point for 29 years and sang her last concert on July 6.
“It was bittersweet,” said Messenger, who is officially retiring on March 1, 2025. “I relished the majestic Trophy Point Hudson River view, along with the class of 2028 cadets and an enthusiastic crowd for the last time from a performance aspect. I was flooded with overwhelming memories that caused me to get emotional on my final selection of ‘God Bless America.’”
Although Messenger is best known for her angelic voice and vocal accomplishments, she strongly supports her community with her participation in Hudson Valley Honor Flights, Play for Your Freedom, and the American Red Cross. Messenger is certain that she will continue to give back to the community in any way that she can after retirement.
“When it came down to choosing July’s recipient for Citizen of the Month, it was obvious that it should be MaryKay,” said Neuhaus who stated that Messenger is always inspiring people to do good things. “She has been doing great things her whole life and I know she will continue to do wonderful things in and for Orange County long after her retirement.”
Messenger pinpoints her most fulfilling experience, “I would have to say being a Guardian and Bus Leader for Hudson Valley Honor Flights. As it is one of the best ways to say thank you to our nation’s heroes and hear their stories.”
Messenger first sang with the West Point Band at their season finale 1812 concert in 1980, at the age of 12. She continued throughout the years as a guest vocalist for a variety of concerts until she joined the Army in 1996She hasperformed as a soloist for a European Summer Broadway Tour and has appeared locally in several musicals including Godspell, Shenandoah, and Grease. She has sung operatic roles in Montclair, New Jersey; with the Amato Opera Theatre in New York City; and at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, New York. She has performed with the famous Irish Tenors, Frank Patterson, John McDermott, the Nexus percussion ensemble, and soprano Sylvia McNair.
Messenger performed as a featured soloist for the West Point Band’s Bicentennial Concert in Carnegie Hall, the Royal Norwegian Military Band in Oslo, Norway, and as the first American military vocalist to perform with the military band of the People’s Liberation Army in Beijing, China. She recently performed as a soloist for the Boston Pops 2013 Holiday Concert at Eisenhower Hall Theatre. She has sung the National Anthem for many high-profile events, such as the 2012 Bruce Springsteen concert “Stand Up for Heroes” at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, at Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks, at the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange, and at Radio City Music Hall for World Championship Boxing. She has also sung regularly at Yankee Stadium, including a live, televised performance of “God Bless America” for Game 1 of the 2009 World Series. Messenger also sings for numerous New York Jets and Giants football games. She was often highlighted in Army football halftime shows, and she performed for many official functions at West Point and in New York City for distinguished guests, politicians, and international dignitaries.
“I am honored to be serving Orange County, the county I was born and raised in despite moving to Ulster in my twenties,” said Messenger who expressed surprise that she was selected to receive the Citizen of the Month award. “Orange County is the place my family had their businesses, I graduated elementary, middle, and high school, and Mount Saint Mary College. My life has come full circle right back to where I started. Thank you, County Executive Neuhaus and the Orange County community for this prestigious award.”
Messenger resides in Milton, with her husband, David, and daughters, Emma and Grace.