November 11th Is Veterans Day

Men and women in uniform sacrifice every day across the globe for the freedoms we enjoy here at home. Every year on November 11th, Veterans Day gives us the opportunity to thank them and recognize their dedication.

The commemoration carries the purpose of President Woodrow Wilson’s official Armistice Day proclamation in November 1919 to “be filled with the solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service.” Earlier this year, the Assembly passed a resolution I supported that officially thanks our soldiers and commemorates November 11th as Veterans Day in New York State (K-705). But it is not enough to spend just one day honoring their efforts. In the Assembly I will work to help veterans receive the respect, honor and benefits they deserve at home.

This year, I supported legislation signed into law that would establish a 300-foot buffer zone around military funeral services, protecting a family’s privacy from demonstrators (Ch. 528 of 2011) and allow local governments to require permits for any demonstrations taking place within 1,000 feet of the services (Ch. 527 of 2011).

Protests that disrupt funerals are an affront to the families of soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. No military family should ever have to suffer such disrespect. They deserve our utmost gratitude and these new laws will go a long way toward protecting them in their darkest hours.

New York State proudly lends its support to a number of programs that ease the transition back to civilian life for military families. Some of the programs include awarding scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies at schools in New York State to qualifying veterans and their children, providing burial allowances of up to $6,000 for soldiers killed on active duty, and providing credit preferences, retention rights, and hiring exemptions for veterans in civil service jobs. These programs are essential to continuing our support for America’s veterans. This Veterans Day, please join me in showing gratitude for those in our community who fought so bravely on our behalf.

For information about state programs for veterans, visit www.veterans.ny.gov.