Senator Flanagan Joins Smithtown Veterans In Supporting The Troops

Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District), a member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, is joining with Smithtown veterans to support America’s troops. As part of the nationwide Angels of Mercy Program, Senator Flanagan will be accepting donations of items for the combat wounded and their families at his office located at 260 Middle Country Road in Smithtown.

Senator Flanagan is joining with the Smithtown American Legion Post 833 and Smithtown Veterans of Foreign War Post 10870 in accepting these donations. All donated items will be delivered to the Angels of Mercy Program for combat wounded at Walter Reed Army Hospital and Bethesda Naval Hospital.

The Angels of Mercy Program was initiated in October 2003 by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 270 in Virginia in response to an appeal from the American Red Cross. Smithtown veterans have been supporting the Angels of Mercy program since its inception and have sent van loads of donated items down to Virginia in the past.

This year’s local program will culminate in a Loyalty Day Support the Troops Rally on May 6 at 11 a.m. in the Smithtown Veterans Plaza. Residents who would like to help can donate items at various Smithtown collection points, including Senator Flanagan’s office, through May 1.

In addition to Senator Flanagan’s office, residents can drop off items at the United States Marine Recruiting Station on West Main Street in Smithtown from Tuesday to Friday, the American Legion Hall located at 51 Juniper Avenue in Smithtown on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the Smithtown Library and various retail establishments throughout town.

The items requested include exercise shorts and shirts, light jackets, tee shirts, sweatshirts, sports socks, weight lifting or wheelchair gloves, small hand held games, compact disc or cassette players, tapes, books, compact discs and stationary.

"This is a program that will benefit the brave men and women of our armed forces and I hope that everyone will join in. Please visit my office, or one of the other drop off points, and donate to this worthy program to show your support for the wounded and their families," stated Senator Flanagan.

For additional information about the Smithtown program, residents can contact Mr. Blackmer at 360-9435, Mr. Mooney at 864-1189 or Nick Albanese at 724-1804.

PLEASE VISIT THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE VETERAN'S HALL OF FAME.