Senator Harckham Holds Inaugural Meeting of Veterans Advisory Council

(Mt. Kisco, NY) Senator Pete Harckham held the first meeting of his Veterans Advisory Council (VAC) yesterday evening at the Mahopac American Legion Post 1080. The council is comprised of military service members, veterans and advocates for veterans and will advise the Senator on how best to support the veterans’ community in the 40th Senate District. Meetings will be held quarterly.

The VAC will work independently and in collaboration with the SD40 veterans’ community to identify issues important to veterans. Recommendations will be sent to Senator Harckham on how to better assist veterans and their families through legislation and other actions. Topics discussed at the inaugural meeting last night included: the New York State Department of Veterans' Affairs, Montrose Veterans Hospital, County Veteran Services Agencies and the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Program.

From Senator Pete Harckham: “The men and women who have served in our armed forces have made sacrifices that most of us will never be able to fully comprehend. I want to ensure that veterans and their families in the 40th Senate District and beyond get the best medical care and support services available. We've already developed a list of action items as a result of our first meeting and I look forward to their partnership moving forward.” 

From Ron Tocci, Director, Westchester County Veterans Agency: “We thank Senator Harckham for focusing on the need for input from the veteran community. The Westchester County Veterans Agency was honored to attend the first meeting of the Veterans Advisory Council sponsored by Senator Peter Harckham. We pledge to continue to exchange ideas and to work together. Identifying needed services and expanding on present ones for the benefit of our veterans and their families is our mission.” 

From Karl Rohde, Director, Putnam County Veterans Service Agency: "Veterans need a local voice regarding the issues that impact them in New York State. The VA is not always the answer. Senator Harckham is providing us with that voice."

New York State Senate District 40 includes parts of Northern Westchester (Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Peekskill, Pleasantville, Pound Ridge, Sleepy Hollow, Somers, Yorktown) Putnam (Brewster, Carmel, Patterson, Southeast) and Dutchess (Beekman, Pawling).