Senator Carlucci Gives Back to Veterans, Honoring Them at His 8th Annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast

NYACK, NY – Ahead of Veteran’s Day, Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westched) honored close to 200 veterans in Nyack at his 8th annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Sunday.  

The gathering at the Nyack Seaport restaurant offered a free brunch to veterans from Westchester and Rockland Counties. Veterans who served in World War II through the Iraq War were in attendance.  Following the invocation by Chaplain Robert Young, Senator Carlucci offered opening remarks.

"Regardless of where our veterans served, what unites them is a love of country,” said Senator David Carlucci. “Our veterans have defended our freedoms, and we must provide them with the recognition and services they have earned.  At the State level, we have made sure veterans’ pensions are protected, gold star children can attend State universities tuition free, and a property tax exemption is available to veterans on their school tax.”

Senator Carlucci reminded veterans that they can join his monthly Veterans Advisory Committee to discuss legislation and services impacting them. He also invited veterans to an upcoming New York State Senate hearing, which he is chairing on veterans' mental health. The hearing will be held at the Clarkstown Town Hall in New City at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6th.  It will offer testimony from veterans and mental health advocates and experts.

“We have a silent crisis among our veterans”. “ said Senator CarlucciAccording to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs we are losing, on average, 20 veterans a day to suicide. We know PTSD can be a contributing factor and the State has increased funding to the Joseph P. Dwyer program to address PTSD. We must also establish what more we can do. This upcoming hearing will help the State Senate Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities establish and propose comprehensive legislation to provide veterans with improved mental health treatment, ways to eliminate stigma and increase access to care.”

Following the Senator’s remarks, a special presentation was offered by Steve Richter with Hudson Valley Honor Flight. Then, Rockland resident, Sandi Partridge and Heritage Quilters of the Hudson Palisades raffled off items, including handmade afghans and quilts.