A Special Message About Veterans Day

We owe a debt of gratitude to the heroic men and women who have defended our freedoms and served our nation as members of the Armed Forces. As the daughter of a World War II veteran and the sister of a Vietnam War veteran, I have first-hand experience with the difficulties our heroes face when they return home.

This Veterans Day, I urge all New Yorkers to recommit ourselves to ensuring that veterans have every opportunity to achieve the American Dream as they return to civilian life. We must honor their sacrifices by guaranteeing they have access to the quality health services, education assistance and job training programs they deserve. My colleagues and I in the Senate Democratic Conference have advanced legislation that will help veterans receive education credits for their service and greater access to mental health, counseling, legal protections, government services and treatment programs.

Veterans and their families have sacrificed greatly to protect our freedoms and way of life and it is our responsibility to provide them with support services when they return home. I hope all New Yorkers join with me to thank our veterans and ensure state government takes meaningful steps to ease their return to civilian life.

For more information about veterans services in New York, please visit http://www.veterans.ny.gov/.