From the Director's Desk,

Greetings to all!

We hope you all are enjoying your summer vacation and are having a great time this season. As usual, we hope this newsletter will keep you apprised of what's available to you, as members of the New York City veterans'/military community.

Thank you, to all veterans and service members who participated in the Memorial Day Parades and commemorations throughout the New York City area. This year's commemorations were especially poignant because we are still at war. Please keep those who are currently serving in your thoughts and prayers. The Department of Defense has a Web site www.defendamerica.mil that links to ways you can support our troops.

A very heartfelt thank you goes out to the US Navy, the Intrepid Museum Foundation, the New York Council, Navy League of the United States; American Legion Post #1870; and the veterans' groups and everyone involved in Fleet Week 2004. It was a resounding success. All the visiting Sailors, Marines, and Coastguardsmen had a fantastic time. The visiting troops got to go to local restaurants, museums, and shows. It always gives me a good feeling that visiting service members who participate in Fleet Week get to see that New York City is a great place to visit. We look forward to Fleet Week 2005!

The United War Veterans' Council did an outstanding job of creating an event surrounding the unveiling of the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC - Tribute to a Generation. New York City World War II veterans came to Bryant Park to see the simulcast, on big television screens, of the unveiling of the monument in Washington, DC. They were also able to listen to some great performances by the US Army 319th Statue of Liberty Band; the US Navy Northeast Region Band; the For U Quartet; the US Marine Corps Albany Band, Albany, Georgia; and the USO Metropolitan NY Troupe. The performances were so good our World War II vets became part of the performances, showing us how to boogie to Big Band music! Service members from visiting ships for Fleet Week and from area commands and veterans from other eras supported the event as well. Dignitaries and local elected officials gave remarks. The United States Postal Service unveiled a replica of the World War II Memorial Stamp. It was an event to remember!

The United War Veterans' Council will again be putting together this year's New York City Veterans' Day Parade. This year's parade will be in support of Troops currently serving in the War on Terrorism. We have more than 312,000 veterans; approximately 12,000 reservists and National Guard members; and approximately 970 active duty personnel in the 5 boroughs! On November 11, 2004, it would be fantastic to see you all on Fifth Avenue in support of our Troops and you all who have served our country. The United War Veterans' Council is looking for support for our parade. You can contact Patrick Gualtieri at (212) 693-0474.

The Achilles Track Club, Inc. held its annual Hope & Possibility 5 Mile Run/Walk in Central Park on Sunday, August 1, 2004. This event was sponsored and supported by the City of New York Parks & Recreation; New York City Sports Commission; Mayor's Office For People with Disabilities; Cushman & Wakefield; Goldman Sachs, Silverstein Properties, and Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics. It was a grand success! Trisha Meili, the Central Park jogger; and approximately 35 servicemembers who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and who are amputees, came from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC to New York City to participate in this event. Major General Richard Colt, Commanding Officer, 77th Regional Readiness Command; soldiers from the 77th RRC; soldiers from Army Recruiting Command; veterans from the 5 boroughs and surrounding New York area participated in this run/walk also. I walked in this event, Matthew Sapolin, Executive Director, Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities; Jim Fuchs, Deputy Director of this office, and Lieutenant Matt Galan, Deputy Director, Navy Office of Information - East participated by running in this event. We had a great time and we look forward to seeing you all at this event next year!

There are many events taking place in and around New York City of interest. Please see the links below for information on what's going on in our community. If you need further information, visit the Web sites, contact the numbers listed, contact this office at (212) 442-4171, or please dial 311.

In closing, I encourage you all to make sure that you, family members, and friends register to vote! You can get information on voting by contacting the New York City Board of Elections at 212.VOTE.NYC. You served your country to defend this right, make sure that you exercise it!

Until the next newsletter, take care and . . .

Semper Fi,

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

All New Yorkers are encouraged to register to vote before the registration deadlines. Please see the 2004 election year calendar for specific dates regarding the September Primary Election (voter registration form must be postmarked by August 20) and the November General Election (voter registration form must be postmarked by October 8). Information can be found at www.nyc.gov/voter or by calling the Voter Assistance Commission at (212) 788-8384.

Armed Forces Voters Week begins September 3, 2004. This event, sponsored by the Department of Defense Voting Information Center (VIC), is held to encourage all citizens voting under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, who have not registered to vote or requested an absentee ballot this year, to do so as soon as possible. Citizens may reach the VIC toll-free from 66 countries using the toll-free numbers listed on the Federal Voting Assistance Program Web site at www.fvap.gov. In the U.S., call toll-free at 1-800 438-VOTE (8683),or e-mail at vote@fvap.ncr.gov.

The City of New York Department of Finance is pleased to announce Sales Tax-Free Week. From August 31 - September 6, purchases of clothing, footwear and related items costing less than $110 are exempt from New York's 8.625% sales tax. For more information, please call 1-800-CALL-TAX or visit the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance Web site at www.tax.state.ny.us. To access the Finance Department's exemption guide, please click on the link below:

• Guide to the 2004 Sales Tax Exemption

The Black Veterans for Social Justice, Inc. will host its Fifth Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser, starting at 8 a.m., Saturday, September 11, 2004 at Breezy Point Golf Course, Riis Park, Queens. A Golf Clinic will be held from 7:30 - 7:50 a.m. During this year's event, Mr. Elmo Jones will be presented with the second John R. Carter "Golf Mentor Award". Please call (718) 474-1623 or e-mail admin@bvsj.org for more information. To register, please complete the form below:

• Black Veterans For Social Justice Golf Tournament Flyer

Veterans of Foreign Wars Corrigan-Kiernan Memorial Post No. 8160 will celebrate its 58th anniversary from 8 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, September 11, 2004 at its Post Quarters, 1265 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11218. Tickets are limited to 65 people and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Please click on the links below for more information on this anniversary event:

• Post No. 8160 Event Reminder
• Post No. 8160 Journal Ad order form

Prisoners of War / Missing in Action Day Date Change: National POW/MIA Recognition Day is always the 3rd Friday in September - EXCEPT the Department of Defense changed it to Tuesday, September 14, this year due to a conflict with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. Please mark your calendars and plan your events accordingly.

The US Small Business Administration and the US General Services Administration will be hosting its second annual "The HUBZone Program: Exploring the Possibilities" from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 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, September 10, 2004. Please call (212) 264-8265 for more information.

The Little Neck - Douglaston Memorial Day Parade Organization, Inc. is pleased to announce its Annual Fall Golf Classic & Weekend Getaway, Friday, September 17, 2004. The event will be held at the West Point Golf Course and at the Thayer Hotel. Please call James Wrynn at (718) 423-6800; Carolyn Karoff at (212) 935-5700; or Royce Mulholland at (212) 661-5015 for details. Additional information can be found on the organization's Web site at www.memorialdayparade.org or by clicking on the link below:

• Annual Fall Golf Classic & Weekend Getaway Flyer

The 9th Regiment Veterans' Association will host a Dinner/Dance from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, September 19, 2004, at Fort Hamilton's Community Club, 207 Sheridan Loop, Brooklyn, New York. Those interested in attending the event are encouraged to click on the flyer below and mail it back to Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Baer, 711 East 11th Street, Apartment 8A, New York, NY 10009.

• 9th Regiment Veterans' Association Dinner/Dance Flyer

The Vietnam Veterans' Memorial "The Moving Wall" is scheduled to be on display in Queens' Cunningham Park, in Fresh Meadows, October 2 - 8, 2004. The viewing is being sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Queens Chapter #32, Inc. "The Moving Wall" is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for almost twenty years. It contains the names of American military personnel who gave their lives during the Vietnam War and includes the names of those still unaccounted for. Please visit the Web site at www.themovingwall.org or call VVA Chapter #32 at (718) 830-0037 for more information.

Plans are underway to produce the 2004 Veterans' Day Parade. The United War Veterans' Council is urging veterans from all eras to begin planning now. November 11, 2004 is expected to start with the Eternal Light Monument Ceremony in Madison Square Park. After the bells toll at 11 a.m., the parade will commence up 5th Avenue. The USS Intrepid will be hosting an After Parade Celebration for all participants. For more information, please call the Veterans' Parade Hotline at (212) 693-0474 or e-mail Pat at PatUWVC@aol.com.

• "We Salute You" Parade Flyer

The New York City Department of Finance began accepting applications, July 15, for Veterans' Property Tax Exemptions for the tax year beginning on July 1, 2005. During Fiscal Year 2004, the City granted more than 58,000 Veterans' Exemptions. For Fiscal Year 2006, all applications must be received by March 15, 2005. Please visit the Finance Web site at www.nyc.gov/finance or dial 311 for more information.

National Guard members and reservists who serve on active duty greatly reduce the amount of time it takes for them to become eligible for a Veterans' Affairs Home Loan. Normally, it takes six years of service to become eligible but Guardsmen and reservists who are called to active duty during wartime only need to serve for 90 days to become eligible. For more information, please visit the Veterans' Administration Web site at www.homeloans.va.gov.

Millions of veterans still have not applied for their Cold War Recognition Certificate. Anyone who served in the United States Armed Forces (to include reserve component personnel) during the Cold War era (September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991) is eligible. This also applies to any federal government employee who served during this period. Please visit https://www.perscomonline.army.mil/tagd/coldwar to apply.

As part of New York State's Patriot Plan of 2003, Reservists, National Guard members and members of the New York Militia are entitled to a free Empire Passport for access to state parks for members and their families. This applies to the Empire Passport (which normally costs $59) and not the Access Pass, which is for disabled individuals. Applications can be obtained from the agency's Web site, www.nysparks.com. Questions regarding the program can be directed to Ms. Deborah Keville at (518) 474-8081.

The Department of the Army's Disabled Soldier Support System (DS3) provides severely disabled soldiers and their families with a system of advocacy and follow-up with personal support to assist them as they transition from military service to the civilian community. For more information please visit their Web site at www.ArmyDS3.org or call 1-800-833-6622 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.

Many veterans are asking what they can do to show support for service members, especially those serving overseas in this time of war. The Department of Defense lists Web sites for several organizations that are sponsoring programs for members of the armed forces overseas. Please visit www.defendamerica.mil/support_troops.html for more information.

Veterans may now apply for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance with the click of a button! The Veterans' Administration's new AutoForm (Automated Form) will walk you through the application step-by-step and even let you submit it online. Please visit www.insurance.va.gov to learn more about Veterans' Administration Life Insurance.

The New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs recently released its 2003 Annual Report. The report contains interesting information about the New York veterans' community, veterans' services and legislation passed to benefit New York veterans during the past year. Please visit www.veterans.state.ny.us/annualreport2003.pdf to view the entire report.

If you are active duty military, a member of the Reserves, employed by the New York National Guard, or a service-connected veteran or military retiree, you may be eligible for membership in the Municipal Credit Union. For more information, please visit www.nymcu.org or call Edward Massey-Montgomery at (212) 238-3660, e-mail: emontgomery@nymcu.org.

VA to Begin Chiropractic Care - The US Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced that 26 VA facilities nationwide will provide chiropractic care to veterans starting this Fall. Chiropractic care for New York City's veterans will be provided in the Bronx. Eligible veterans distant from the locations will be able to receive care through the VA's outpatient fee-basis program after a referral by their primary care provider and prior authorization by the VA. For more information, please visit www.va.gov.

World War II Veterans are encouraged to record their histories online with the Library of Congress Veterans' History Project at www.loc.gov/folklife/vets. The Veterans' History Project relies on volunteers to interview, record, compile and donate materials. All are encouraged to participate: veterans, civilians, adults, young people, men, women, scholars, students, amateurs, and experts. In turn, participants can rely on the Library of Congress to preserve, catalog, and share these collections now and in the future. Inquiries can be made through the Web site, by e-mail at vohp@loc.gov or by calling (202) 707-4916.

The City of New York Department of Housing Preservation and Development would like to remind all New Yorkers that its Housing Education Services (HES) department offers a variety of training courses for owners, property managers, housing professionals, superintendents and tenants. HES' Housing Education Program (HEP) offers a wide spectrum of introductory, certificate and advanced courses in building management and systems maintenance. The schedule of classes, courses and seminars can be found on HPD's Web site at www.nyc.gov/hpd. Those interested may register for classes online or request that an application be mailed to them by dialing 311.

New York Veterans are reminded that free Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) training is authorized by New York State Education Law. Veterans interested in taking advantage of this State benefit are advised to first visit their local area high school and indicate a desire to enroll in the BOCES program. There is an attendance requirement of at least 5 hours per day for 5 days per week in these class. Local schools are eligible for state aid as a result of admitting veterans into their program. Please visit www.nyc.gov/education to locate the closest high school in your area.