Gilman opens center at SUNY Orange

Former congressman spent career advancing international relations

Former Rep. Ben Gilman is Middletown through and through, but he's always managed to be a man of the world as well.

He flew 35 missions over Japan during World War II, which earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He spent 30 years on the House International Relations Committee, including a stint as chairman from 1995 to 2002. And he was a congressional delegate to the United Nations.

Gilman retired from Congress in 2002, but his global legacy continues. Yesterday afternoon, he was on hand as SUNY Orange celebrated the opening of its Gilman Center for International Education.

Gilman, who lives in Middletown, can still play the politician: giving a speech, schmoozing with attendees and shaking plenty of hands. Including the hand of John S. Gebbia III, who first met Gilman when he was 9 years old.

Gilman gave Gebbia a campaign button while going door-to-door seeking support in Rockland County in 1972. Their paths crossed again eight years later, when Gilman wrote an appointment letter that helped Gebbia get into the U.S. Naval Academy.

Now 43 years old and a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Gebbia just had to meet the man who had been such an influence. Gebbia drove from his home in Pearl River to attend yesterday's ceremony to shake Gilman's hand.

"One of the more distinguished politicians I've ever been around," Gebbia said.