Rolland Kidder with grandsons, Jack and Ben, at a family wedding in Maine.

Former New York State Assemblyman Rolland Kidder will be honored at the Annual Chautauqua County Democratic dinner on Thursday, July 16 at the Doubletree Hotel at 6 p.m. for his lifetime of public service.

In 1970 as a Navy Lt. in charge of a Mekong River patrol boat, Kidder started a successful primary campaign to be the Democratic candidate for State Assembly,

After narrowly losing the November 1970 general election for Assembly, he became part of the Democratic majority in the first election of a County Legislature (replacing the old Board of Supervisors) in 1971.

In 1974, he ran successfully for the New York State Assembly, defeating his prominent Republican opponent by 8,000 votes. He became the first Democratic Assemblyman from Chautauqua County in 100 years.

In 1982 Kidder stepped away from the Assembly, passing the torch to Bill Parment who was elected as a Democrat to the State Assembly for 28 years, 1982-2010.

He became a Trustee of the Power Authority of the State of New York and served from 1982-1993.

Both Presidents Clinton and Obama appointed Kidder to the American Battle Monuments Commission and he was a member of the original National World War II Memorial Design Committee.

He also is an accomplished author. His “A Hometown Went to War” is an oral history of 37 veterans describing their experiences during World War II.

Rolly returned to Vietnam in 2010 and wrote a second book, “Backtracking in Brown Water,” reflecting on his impressions of the country.

Reservations for the Annual Dinner are required. Reservations of $100 per person can be mailed to: Chautauqua County Democratic Committee, PO Box 1218, Dunkirk, NY 14048. Please indicate your menu selection of: Herb Roasted Chicken, Grilled Sirloin or Eggplant Parmesan (Vegetarian).

Reservations are due by July 5.