Giving Thanks For Our Veterans

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it is important that we thank and honor our veterans for the countless sacrifices they have made to protect the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

Just as our veterans recognized their duty to honor and serve our country, we too must recognize our duty as Americans to honor the profound sacrifices they made and continue to make so that we can live our lives in freedom.

Words cannot do justice to the tremendous debt of gratitude we owe to all veterans. I have often said that a person is a hero not for what they do, but for what they would do. They would risk their lives for another. They would leave their family and friends and the comfort of their homes to serve a cause greater than themselves. They would make whatever sacrifices necessary for their fellow citizens and their Nation. They would live for freedom and they would die for freedom.

In July of 2011, the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery was officially opened and since that time, over 160 honored veterans and their families have been buried on this hallowed ground. I recently announced a $150,000 State grant to complete the next stage of renovations at the Chapel, which previously served as a firehouse on the original Sampson Naval Base.

All honorably discharged veterans and their spouses are eligible for burial at the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The guidelines for the cemetery are strictly based on federal veterans cemetery standards. To learn more about the cemetery you can visit the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery website at www.sampsonveteranscemetery.com or contact Bill Yale, Cemetery Director, at 607-379-0197.

In an effort to honor the service and sacrifice of our brave soldiers, I will be sponsoring along with several of my colleagues our annual Holiday Drive for the Troops. Our servicemen and women have left their families and friends and the comfort of their homes in order to serve a cause greater than themselves. They have sacrificed so much to serve our Nation and helping to provide them with the little comforts from home is just one way that we can all say ‘thank you’ for their service to our State and Nation.

Nonperishable items such as snacks, gum, hard candy, instant coffee and dry-mix beverages such as iced tea and lemonade can be dropped off at the following locations:

· Senator Mike Nozzolio’s office. 119 Fall Street, Seneca Falls;

· Assemblyman Brian Kolb’s office. 607 W. Washington Street, Geneva;

· Assemblyman Gary Finch’s office. 69 South Street, Auburn;

· Assemblyman Bob Oaks’ office. 10 Leach Road, Lyons;

· Assemblyman Phil Palmesano’s office. 105 East Steuben   Street, Bath;

· Supervisor Ron Nesbitt’s office. 1000 Ridge Road, Webster.

Other personal items such as DVDs, stationery, pens and small articles of clothing like hats or socks are also welcome. Items can be dropped off through December 13th. Anyone who would like their donated items to be sent to a specific soldier from our region, who is currently stationed overseas, should contact my Seneca Falls District Office with their serviceman or woman’s name and where they are stationed. My office can be reached toll free at 1-888-568-9816 or by email at nozzolio@nysenate.gov.

As State Senator, I will continue my aggressive efforts to recognize and acknowledge the members of our armed services.