Senator O'Mara lends a helping pen to Sophie's military card drive to pay tribute to America's active military and veterans locally, across the nation and around the world ~ Starts the day at the Center Street Elementary School, GST BOCES with area vets

Senator O'Mara started today at the Center Street Elementary School where, as part of the school's Veterans Tribute Ceremony, he read a New York State Veterans Day proclamation and the poem "The Table" honoring POW/MIAS (see more photos from the ceremony HERE).

That was followed by a salute to veterans sponsored by the GST BOCES Broad Horizons Academy at the Bush Campus. 

The day continued with a meeting with Horseheads Central School District Superintendent Thomas Douglas at the Horseheads Middle School where, together, they signed holiday cards of thanks to aid the military card drive "Dream Big Sophie" -- an effort launched two years ago by Sophie Kartzman, now a seventh-grader at the middle school, which has a goal to make and collect 15,000 holiday cards for active military and veterans.

"It's an amazing and inspiring effort by Sophie, a true symbol of American patriotism, and we were proud today to do our part," said Senator O'Mara.

Following today's card signing, Senator O'Mara spoke to Sophie's social studies class and signed more holiday cards with Sophie (see photo above).

Read more on "Dream Big Sophie" at dreambigsophie.org