Addabbo brings veterans groups and organizations together for Veterans Information Fair at Atlas Park

On this year’s Armed Forces Day, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., a member of the NYS Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, will bring several organizations together for a Veterans Information Fair in Glendale.

On Saturday, May 21, between the hours of 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., representatives from several veterans and first responder organizations will be on hand at the Shops at Atlas Park, located at 8000 Cooper Avenue in Glendale, to provide information on their groups and how they can help local veterans. 

Groups that will be represented at the Veterans Information Fair are: 

• Operation Warrior Shield; 
• South Hampton Animal Shelter Foundation; 
• The David Lynch Foundation; 
• NYC Department of Veterans’ Services; 
• Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 32;  
• NYPD; and 
• Grunt Style. 

After speaking with CMSgt. (ret) Edward Schloeman, the Chairman of Operation Warrior Shield, Addabbo wanted to get the word out about this credible organization and the work they do in providing comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, first responders and their families that are focused on transition, health and wellness, employment, prevention of homelessness, peer engagement, and connections to community resources.

Operation Warrior Shield partners with the South Hampton Animal Shelter Foundation to train dogs for their Canine Companion program — which provides trained, loving and supportive canine companions to veterans, first responders and their families who live with physical and emotional injuries incurred in the line of duty — as well as the David Lynch Foundation to explain the benefits of Transcendental Meditation.

“Veterans, first responders and the people closest to them may not know of the services and groups out there to help them,” Addabbo said. “As a member of the New York State Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, I want to provide our veterans and first responders information on beneficial — and sometimes life-saving — programs that they are entitled to.”

The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services was created in 2016 and since has provided essential services and programs focused on economic empowerment, housing security, benefits, health and wellness, and culture.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 is the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, which advocates for returning veterans and the issues that they face including full access to quality health care, identifying the full range of disabling injuries and illnesses incurred during military service, holding government agencies accountable for following laws mandating veterans’ health care, creating a positive public perception of Vietnam veterans, seeking the fullest possible accounting of America’s POWs and MIAs, supporting the next generation of America’s war veterans, and serving their communities.

Grunt Style was created in 2009 by a former Army Drill Sergeant and helps promote a positive view of service members and veterans. In 2021 the group created the Grunt Style Foundation which is a national nonprofit organization committed to providing life-changing resources and experiences for service members, veterans and their families with a focus on mental health and wellness, transition and sustainment, food insecurities, and homelessness.

“I am proud to bring these important organizations together for this information fair, and I hope that we are able to reach the local veteran community with this important event,” Addabbo added. “And what better day to celebrate our veterans, service members and first responders than Armed Forces Day.”