From the Executive Director's Desk,

On behalf of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, I would like to convey a hearty thanks to everyone who supported the ceremonies, parades, and events for Memorial Day 2005. The parades and ceremonies were attended by New York City residents and visitors honoring our fallen heroes from all wars and conflicts.

On May 9, 2005, Ms. Florence Greenwald, New York County Jewish War Veterans, passed away. Florence Greenwald was a World War II veteran, Past Commander of the New York County Jewish War Veterans, a great supporter of the veteran community, and friend. Florence will be greatly missed by everyone at MOVA.

Fleet Week 2005 was exceptional and enjoyed greatly by the citizens of New York City. Visiting were ships from the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, Canada, France, Great Britain, and Pakistan. The sailors, Marines, and coastguardsmen had a great time visiting the Big Apple and we look forward to hosting Fleet Week 2006!

The soldiers of the 77th Regional Readiness Command held a Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony, June 18, 2005, for Major General Richard Colt. Major General Colt took command of the 77th in June, 2001 and under his leadership the soldiers of the 77th have given exceptional support to the citizens of New York. The 77th will now be under the command of Major General William Terpeluk. We look forward to continuing to support the soldiers of the 77th.

Take time out to read the links below about upcoming events and for pertinent information, and pass it along to other veterans and service members, who may not receive this newsletter. Also, if you receive this letter by "snail" mail and have an email address, please contact my office so that your email address can be added to the MOVA contact list and future newsletters may be sent to you electronically.

Please remember our service men and women, fighting the war on terrorism, in your thoughts and prayers. They are the reason we can enjoy Independence Day! Have a happy and healthy Fourth of July, enjoy the summer, take care and . . .

Semper Fi,

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

Property Statements of Account for July 2005 were mailed by the New York City Department of Finance on June 13, 2005 and posted online on June 20. The third page of your Statement of Account contains information on how Finance calculated your property tax for the year. Included in this information is a detailed listing of the various property tax reductions (such as the Veterans' Exemption) that you receive and how those exemptions or abatements reduced your taxes. Please visit the Department of Finance's Web site at www.nyc.gov/finance for more information.

The Veterans Business Network (VBN), a membership association of veteran business owners, executives and entrepreneurs is hosting a reception from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Thursday, June 30, 2005 at the Union League Club, 38 East 37th Street, New York, NY. The event, which is free for Reservists and members of the National Guard, will honor our nation's citizen-soldiers for their service and sacrifice. Due to space limitations, reservations are required and can be made by calling Steve White at (800) 742-1075 or by visiting the organization's Web site at www.veteransbusinessnetwork.com.

The Veteran Corps of Artillery (VCA) will fire its traditional 50-round Salute to the Nation, at noon, Monday, July 4, 2005 from the Battery Park esplanade in Lower Manhattan. Prior to the salute, the VCA, in full parade dress uniform, will play historic military marches as it parades through Battery Park to Castle Clinton. The VCA will conduct a Flag Raising Ceremony, at 11 a.m., at Castle Clinton to commemorate the final evacuation of British troops from New York during the American Revolution. For more information, please contact Major Allen Milman at (212) 506-0765 or visit the VCA Web site at www.vca1790.org.

The U.S Small Business Administration, Division of Business Development II is sponsoring the class, How To Transform a Bad Credit Rating to a Good Credit Rating from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 26 Federal Plaza, Duane Street entrance, 6th floor, Suite A. Admission is free but limited to New York small businesses and entrepreneurs. To register, please e-mail robin.daniels@sba.gov or call (212) 264-4322.

New online business classes will be available for small businesses throughout the nation thanks to a co sponsorship between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Thomson Corporation, a national provider of online instructor-taught training classes. Each online course will be six weeks in length and will be facilitated by an instructor. The next course begins July 20, 2005. To register, please visit www.sba.gov/training, go to the free online courses section of the Web site and click on the Instructor- Facilitated Courses button to complete your registration.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is asking veterans to consider museum membership as a way to help honor heroes, educate the public and inspire today's youth. All Veteran Members receive VIP treatment at the Intrepid which includes free admission, advance notice and invitations to exclusive events and a subscription to the Intrepid's quarterly newsletter. During this year's membership drive, veterans will receive a 40% discount on the cost of membership. For more information, please call Daniela Gorelov at (212) 957-7045, visit the museum's box office, located in front of the Intrepid Museum at West 46th Street and 12th Avenue, or click on the flyer below:

• Intrepid Museum Veteran Membership Flyer

Veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom who are seeking medical care and benefits information should contact, Mr. Robert Greene, Combat Veteran Coordinator, at (212) 951-5422. The VA can provide these veterans with medical care for two years from the date of military discharge for conditions believed to be related to military service, regardless of income or eligibility status. Please visit www.va.gov for more information.

The Salvation Army's Military Assistance Program (MAP) of Greater New York provides community social services and support services to families of deceased, wounded and deployed service members to Iraq and Afghanistan. MAP also offers deployment kits and resources, spiritual counseling and programs for children of service members. For more information, please contact the New York City MAP representative at (212) 729-5529. For more information on the Salvation Army of Greater New York, please visit the organization's Web site at www.salvationarmy-newyork.org.

If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship under special provisions provided for in the Immigration and Nationality Act. A pamphlet outlining qualifications and other benefits can be downloaded from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Web site at www.uscis.gov. The immigration hotline for New York City can be accessed by calling (800) 566-7636.

The Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment and Veterans Employment administers the Helmets to Hardhats program to help active military, Reservists, members of the National Guard and Veterans join the building and construction trades. For more information, please call Helmets to Hardhats toll free at (866) 741-6210 or visit the organization's Web site at www.helmetstohardhats.org.