POLITICS AS USUAL, OR A TRUE INTEREST? Governor Cuomo Holds First New York Veterans and Military Families Summit SCHOOL & EDUCATION, LOCAL NEWS, COMMUNITY, CHARITY & CAUSE, PRESS RELEASES By Long Island News & PRs Published: March 20 2014 Governor Announces Initiatives to Provide Veteran and Military Families with Affordable Housing, Jobs and Educational Opportunities. Albany, NY - March 20, 2014 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today held the first New York State Veterans and Military Families Summit. He was joined by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Dr. Tommy Sowers, along with leaders and representatives from Veterans groups, military bases, educational institutions and private businesses to discuss ways in which New York can improve services to Veterans and military families. The Governor announced multiple initiatives that will provide Veterans and military families greater access to affordable housing, employment, and educational opportunities throughout the state. The summit focused on creating a comprehensive approach to improving services to Veterans and military families in New York, especially in the areas of affordable housing, employment, education, benefits, and mental health. It included the participation of leaders from 36 Veterans groups, 11 representatives from military bases in New York, 28 administrators from educational institutions, 18 executives from private businesses, and many other stakeholders. We owe our Veterans and military families a huge debt of gratitude -- and the best way to express it is through action, said Governor Cuomo. Todays summit is about taking action so more New York Veterans can realize the American Dream they fought to protect. And when we invest in our Veterans and military families, it pays dividends. We need their skills and leadership as we continue rebuilding the Empire State. Dr. Tommy Sowers said, “I want to applaud New York Governor Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Duffy on convening the first ever Veterans summit of this kind. There are more than 886,000 Veterans in New York, thousands of whom may not be using their benefits, and States are integral partners in our mission to provide care and benefits to our nation’s Veterans,” said Dr. Tommy Sowers. “We are changing the way we do business at the VA - we are coming to you. Over the next year VA’s Mobile Vet Centers will be in every county in New York to spread the word about VA benefits and services.” Colonel Eric J. Hesse, Director of the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs, said, “I am privileged to serve as the Veterans representative for the State of New York. New Yorkers have a long and proud tradition of military service and I commend and thank Governor Cuomo for hosting this Veterans and Military Families summit. Today’s summit focused on the sacrifices and value of New York State’s Veterans and Military Families. Through Governor Cuomo’s leadership, we are committed to doing more for our Veterans and Military Families. Today’s summit highlighted new initiatives, rebuilt programs, and expanded our vision to include all Veterans, Military Members, and their Families. New York State took huge steps forward to ensure Veterans and Military Families fully participate in New York’s economy, recreation, and opportunity.” Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs, said, I welcome the opportunity to represent the men and women of our New York National Guard, many of whom already count themselves among our states Veterans or have served as members of the active military. Governor Cuomos vision of a state government that values Veterans and serving members of the military, and crafts policies which support them and their families, recognizes the tremendous value these people bring to New York State. Our Veterans and military men and women have served our nation and play a vital role in communities across New York State and this summit is just one way Governor Cuomo recognizes them. New York hosts the largest military base in the northeast, Fort Drum, which is home to 18,000 Soldiers and another 18,000 military family members as well as just fewer than 4,000 civilian employees. New York is also home to the oldest service academy, the United States Military Academy at West Point which trains about 4,400 future Army officers annually. Outside of Fort Drum there are another 3,600 Active Duty military members in New York, while the New York Army and Air National Guard have a combined strength of 16,000 men and women. The federal reserve forces – the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps reserves-- count another 14,500 New Yorkers among their ranks. Overview of New York’s Veterans and Military Community New York State is home to nearly 900,000 Veterans. Seventy-two percent served during periods of combat. Approximately 88,000 New Yorkers served in Afghanistan or Iraq. Additionally, New York State is home to approximately 30,000 active duty military personnel as well as an additional 30,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel. New York has the 4th largest number of Veteran-owned small businesses in the country, behind only California, Texas, and Florida. As these statistics show, New York is home to a large Veteran and military population. New York has three major active duty military installations: Fort Drum (near Watertown, NY) Fort Hamilton (Brooklyn, NY) The United States Military Academy at West Point
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 15:22:47 +0000
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