From the Director's Desk,

The Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs has a new Deputy Director and Executive Assistant. Jim Fuchs, a veteran of the United States Air Force, is the new Deputy Director. Rashad Pitts is the new Executive Assistant and a daughter of a United States Marine Corps Veteran. We look forward to continuing to provide service to the veterans' and military community in the New York City area.

Within the last few years we have lost twelve New York City residents in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. We extend to their families and friends our heartfelt condolences.

Many New Yorkers are still serving in combat operations overseas and at home. You are in our thoughts and prayers and we look forward to your safe return home.

For those of you who have returned home from the war, welcome home! Please make contact with this office, the US Department of Veterans' Affairs, or the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs regarding any benefits for which you may be entitled. Please keep in mind that readjustment after combat duty, or a long deployment, can be very stressful. There are many changes a returning servicemember, and family members, go through. There is readjustment counseling available to returning servicemembers through the US Department of Veterans' Affairs at the area VA hospitals and Vet Centers located throughout the New York area.

The Vet Centers offer counseling for sexual trauma -- male and female veterans, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), bereavement counseling -- for veterans and family members who have lost loved ones in service to our country -- and a host of other services.

We are always getting requests for leads on housing in New York City. The New York City Office of Housing Preservation and Development has listings for its homebuyers program and apartments for rent. Please visit their Web site for more information.

For those of you who own real property in the New York City area, there is a Real Property Tax Exemption through the New York City Department of Finance for veterans who qualify. Please link to the following Web site for information www.nyc.gov/finance. Also, the US Department of Veterans' Affairs offers a VA Certificate of Eligibility for the purchase of a home for veterans who qualify. Please check their Web site at http://www.homeloans.va.gov/ for more information.

The Community Food Resource Center offers assistance in obtaining food stamps, emergency food assistance, nutrition services and other services. This service is open to veterans who qualify. Please go to the link listed below for more information.

We also receive many requests for employment leads. The Department of Citywide Administrative Services offers Civil Service Exams for employment with the City of New York. Also, military members who are about to leave the service usually have a transition interview from their command before leaving the military.

The United States Marine Corps has a new program called Marine For Life. They offer employment assistance to Marines about to leave the Corps. Contact Major Nelson at (646) 243-6383 or e-mail at NYC@m4l.usmc.mil for further information.

The New York City Office of Small Business Services and the Small Business Administration offer great opportunities for those of you interested in starting a small business or have interest in conducting business in the city.

The organization Helmets to Hardhats offers employment in the field of construction to recently discharged veterans. Please see the listing below for more information.

Fleet Week 2004 will take place this year from Wednesday, May 26 through Tuesday, June 1. Please visit www.fleetweek.navy.mil for updates. Also, there will be many Memorial Day Parades and ceremonies throughout the five boroughs. We encourage you to support them with your attendance. Information on local parades and ceremonies is listed below.

There are many upcoming events in the next few weeks. Information on some of these events is listed below. Please follow the links for contact information.

As always, I hope we have provided you with helpful information. Until the next newsletter, take care.

Semper Fi,

Clarice Joynes
Executive Director & Military Liaison
Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs

The Food Card is available for qualifying families in New York City. The Community Food Resource Center is encouraging New Yorkers to check their eligibility by calling 1-866 FOOD NYC (1-866-366-3692). Or you can visit their Web site at http://www.cfrcnyc.org.

The City of New York Department for the Aging is co-sponsoring Age in Action 2004 on Wednesday, May 12th in Flushing Meadows - Corona Park. This festival of music, art, entertainment and workshops is designed for New York's senior community. For more information dial 311 or visit their Web site at http://www.nyc.gov/aging.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADES AND CEREMONIES

The Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York, Inc. will hold their annual Flag Day Parade at 12 p.m., Monday, June 14, 2004 at City Hall Park. The parade will conclude with a brief ceremony at Fraunces Tavern. Please call Peter Nemiroff at (212) 425-1776 for more information.

The Greater New York Statue of Liberty Chapter of the Association of the United States Army is holding its 39th Distinguished Service Award (DSA) Banquet on the Army's 229th Birthday, at 7 p.m., June 14, 2004 at the Plaza, Fifth Avenue at Central Park South. This year's honoree is General Kevin P. Byrnes, commanding Gerneral, US Army Training and Doctrine Command. Seating is limited. For more information please click on the following:

• AUSA Letter
• AUSA Flyer

All Veterans are invited to attend the 2nd annual Small Business Resource Day, sponsored by the US Small Business Administration, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 at 26 Federal Plaza, Duane Street entrance, 6th floor seating area. Admission is free. To register, please forward your company name, address and phone number to R2.SBUC@gsa.gov by Friday, June 18, 2004. Please call (212) 264-8265 for more information.

Military Sexual Trauma can affect both men and women and has profound and lasting consequences. The Veterans Administration provides confidential counseling in a safe environment where your individualized needs and concerns can be addressed. Please call Jo Potestivo at (212) 742-9591, in the Manhattan Vet Center Program, for more information.

Military skills are worth a lot in the nation's building and construction industries. Helmets to Hardhats works with top contractors and unions to give veterans free assistance and access to the best opportunities in the business. Vist their Web site at http://www.helmetstohardhats.org for more information, or call (866) 741-6210.