N.Y. Introduces Commemorative Medals to Honor
Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans
Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans
New York State is paying tribute to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with the introduction of new commemorative medals. Approved in 2023, these medals are designed to recognize and honor the service of military members who served in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021, as well as those who served in Iraq from 2003 to 2011.
Veterans or their families can apply for these medals online through the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs website. To be eligible, applicants must provide proof of military service during the specified timeframes and demonstrate residency in New York State.
While these medals are not intended for wear on military uniforms, they serve as a meaningful gesture of gratitude from the State of New York, the New York State Legislature, and Governor Kathy Hochul. The initiative reflects the state’s commitment to acknowledging the sacrifices and contributions of its service members who participated in these significant military operations.
Go to: New York State Military Awards and Decorations
For more information or to apply, eligible individuals are encouraged to visit the Division of Military and Naval Affairs website (above).
Veterans or their families can apply for these medals online through the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs website. To be eligible, applicants must provide proof of military service during the specified timeframes and demonstrate residency in New York State.
While these medals are not intended for wear on military uniforms, they serve as a meaningful gesture of gratitude from the State of New York, the New York State Legislature, and Governor Kathy Hochul. The initiative reflects the state’s commitment to acknowledging the sacrifices and contributions of its service members who participated in these significant military operations.
Go to: New York State Military Awards and Decorations
For more information or to apply, eligible individuals are encouraged to visit the Division of Military and Naval Affairs website (above).
A New Bill before the State Assembly that will benefit many
of our disabled veterans.
of our disabled veterans.
Bill A.2965-A (Pheffer- Amato)/S.2058 (Addabbo) will amend the real property law and establish a tax exemption for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. Please contact your Assembly person and Senator to have them support and vote YES for this bill, which would benefit many of our members and veterans across the state. This is important, if you are also a member of the VFW, you will have received an e-mail from Robert Mitchell with a link to contact your Assembly and Senate representatives. If not, you will have to contact them directly. If you have any questions, please contact Tim Smith.
IT PASSED!!!
By a vote of 6-1 the Greece Central School Board approved the Veteran's Partial School Tax Exemption. Last Night was a victory for all of us who served our country proud. Today Greece Central School District passed and approved by a vote of 6-1. Our school tax saving starts in September 2026. Great job everyone!
For more information follow the links below:
Greece school board gives tax break to veterans
GCSD Board of Education Meeting - February 25th. 2025
Greece CSD approves exemption for veterans on school property taxes
For more information follow the links below:
Greece school board gives tax break to veterans
GCSD Board of Education Meeting - February 25th. 2025
Greece CSD approves exemption for veterans on school property taxes
VFW Celebrates Long Overdue Victory as Dole Act Signed into Law
The following is a message from the VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt
January 06, 2025
WASHINGTON (Jan. 6, 2025) -- I am pleased to hear the news, along with more than 7.8 million transitioning servicemembers, veterans, caretakers, and survivors, that The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, also known as the Dole Act, was officially signed into law by President Biden late last week.
The Dole Act will expand VA benefits, modernize healthcare delivery, and cut through much of the red tape that prevents veterans, caregivers and other beneficiaries from receiving the care and services they deserve. This new law will expand caregiver benefits for elderly and infirmed veterans; increase the cap for in-home care programs; fix community care options for veterans outside of the VA healthcare system; extend timelines, eligibility, and availability for certain GI Bill programs; and even provide funding for family caregiver mental health services and sheltering homeless veterans. Thanks to the hard advocacy work of VFW–Student Veterans America fellows getting the VFW-championed Not Just A Number Act included as a provision within this comprehensive package, we believe the Dole Act will also help reduce veteran suicide.
We commend those members of Congress whose dedication and leadership garnered the bipartisan support in getting this flagship, bicameral veterans package passed and to the president’s desk. While we are certainly grateful the Dole Act is now law, we are still perplexed at the lack of urgency in solving longstanding veterans’ priorities. Let’s not forget that veterans and their families suffer needlessly while waiting for members of Congress to stop playing to their party’s base and do the work they are depending on them to do.
Continuing to pass legislation like this signals to the more than one million service men and women in the Armed Forces, to include the thousands currently deployed to war zones throughout the Middle East and Horn of Africa, that Congress and the Administration will honor the contract which all service members and veterans signed.
The following is a message from the VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt
January 06, 2025
WASHINGTON (Jan. 6, 2025) -- I am pleased to hear the news, along with more than 7.8 million transitioning servicemembers, veterans, caretakers, and survivors, that The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, also known as the Dole Act, was officially signed into law by President Biden late last week.
The Dole Act will expand VA benefits, modernize healthcare delivery, and cut through much of the red tape that prevents veterans, caregivers and other beneficiaries from receiving the care and services they deserve. This new law will expand caregiver benefits for elderly and infirmed veterans; increase the cap for in-home care programs; fix community care options for veterans outside of the VA healthcare system; extend timelines, eligibility, and availability for certain GI Bill programs; and even provide funding for family caregiver mental health services and sheltering homeless veterans. Thanks to the hard advocacy work of VFW–Student Veterans America fellows getting the VFW-championed Not Just A Number Act included as a provision within this comprehensive package, we believe the Dole Act will also help reduce veteran suicide.
We commend those members of Congress whose dedication and leadership garnered the bipartisan support in getting this flagship, bicameral veterans package passed and to the president’s desk. While we are certainly grateful the Dole Act is now law, we are still perplexed at the lack of urgency in solving longstanding veterans’ priorities. Let’s not forget that veterans and their families suffer needlessly while waiting for members of Congress to stop playing to their party’s base and do the work they are depending on them to do.
Continuing to pass legislation like this signals to the more than one million service men and women in the Armed Forces, to include the thousands currently deployed to war zones throughout the Middle East and Horn of Africa, that Congress and the Administration will honor the contract which all service members and veterans signed.
From: Daniel L. Perna
Commander. American Legion,
Greece Post 468
Date: November 11, 2024
Dear Legion Family
The service that we veterans as well as others, who went before us, have come at great cost for some. Some of our warriors and their families have paid a much steeper price than others. Some have given their lives as the ultimate sacrifice, and we honor their memory.
During the Veterans Day weekend, I spoke on two occasions honoring our veterans, living and deceased, honoring their service and sacrifices. There are some of us who were seriously injured coming home from the wars who continue to make financial sacrifices.
Many times, strangers will say to us ”Thank you for your service or thank you for your sacrifice” but today with your help I am asking the Greece School Board Agenda Committee to agree to place the Veterans Partial Exemption for discussion on the agenda for the next available school board meeting either the regular business meeting or the workshop/study meeting for the following reasons:
1) The state of New York, according to the Monroe County School Boards Association, justified this availability in gratitude to the service of our veterans have given. I ask that you show the same gratitude as they did.
2) 95% of NY state towns, counties, villages and over 300 NY State school districts including Gates-Chili, Caledonia-Mumford, and the Rochester City School Districts have shown their gratitude for our veterans.
3) Approval of their Veterans Partial Exemption does not hurt or affect the Greece school budget or any other revenue it receives from property taxes.
4) Our veterans have placed their lives on the line for our country with many of them still paying for medical, physical and or emotional prices for their service.
Please sign our petition now to say to the Greece School Board that you believe that veterans in our school district deserve a second hearing on this matter, Please see me so I can learn your thoughts on this request and the merits of the exemption issues.
Respectfully yours,
For God and country,
Daniel L. Perna, Commander Post 468
Commander. American Legion,
Greece Post 468
Date: November 11, 2024
Dear Legion Family
The service that we veterans as well as others, who went before us, have come at great cost for some. Some of our warriors and their families have paid a much steeper price than others. Some have given their lives as the ultimate sacrifice, and we honor their memory.
During the Veterans Day weekend, I spoke on two occasions honoring our veterans, living and deceased, honoring their service and sacrifices. There are some of us who were seriously injured coming home from the wars who continue to make financial sacrifices.
Many times, strangers will say to us ”Thank you for your service or thank you for your sacrifice” but today with your help I am asking the Greece School Board Agenda Committee to agree to place the Veterans Partial Exemption for discussion on the agenda for the next available school board meeting either the regular business meeting or the workshop/study meeting for the following reasons:
1) The state of New York, according to the Monroe County School Boards Association, justified this availability in gratitude to the service of our veterans have given. I ask that you show the same gratitude as they did.
2) 95% of NY state towns, counties, villages and over 300 NY State school districts including Gates-Chili, Caledonia-Mumford, and the Rochester City School Districts have shown their gratitude for our veterans.
3) Approval of their Veterans Partial Exemption does not hurt or affect the Greece school budget or any other revenue it receives from property taxes.
4) Our veterans have placed their lives on the line for our country with many of them still paying for medical, physical and or emotional prices for their service.
Please sign our petition now to say to the Greece School Board that you believe that veterans in our school district deserve a second hearing on this matter, Please see me so I can learn your thoughts on this request and the merits of the exemption issues.
Respectfully yours,
For God and country,
Daniel L. Perna, Commander Post 468
Congress must fund our military properly
By James LaCoursiere Jr., National Commander
Sep 19, 2024
Dear American Legion Family members and friends,
The shenanigans we’re seeing play out on Capitol Hill are more than typical political bickering. They are endangering our national security, military readiness, and other core issues for veterans, servicemembers and their families.
In short: We’re less than two weeks away from a government shutdown as Congress is unable to pass spending legislation before a new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Our elected representatives are looking at yet another stopgap measure, a continuing resolution (CR) which is akin to placing a bandage on a wounded body part that requires major surgery.
There are numerous reasons why passage of a CR would gravely impact America. Among them:
Military readiness and operations: A CR would be disruptive in several ways, compromising military response operations to worldwide threats, reducing readiness training and putting the brakes on maintenance fixes, while simultaneously empowering known enemies.
Delayed pay for troops: Active-duty personnel and reservists could experience delays in receiving hard-earned pay raises, negatively impacting morale and financial stability, especially in the current economic climate. Imagine being a young servicemember and having to talk with a spouse or partner about which bills to pay, just because Congress is mired in a political standoff.
Border security: Already stretched thin, border protection agencies could face staffing shortages and resource limitations, increasing their vulnerability to illegal activities and security threats.
Recruitment challenges: The armed forces are already faced with challenges when it comes to recruiting the best and the brightest. As the standoff takes its toll, potential recruits’ enlistment bonuses could be halted, risking that they forego military service due to financial uncertainty. Additionally, current servicemembers could choose to not re-enlist, creating talent shortages in areas critical to national security.
Those are among the scenarios we will be facing with a CR, instead of a fully funded fiscal year. But there is still time for Congress to do the right thing.
Our members of Congress must push aside their political posturing, focus on completing the mandated task at hand and doing what is right for America, its military members and their families. I am calling on Congress to pass an actual spending bill on time to ensure our military is properly funded throughout this fiscal year.
National Commander
James LaCoursiere Jr.
By James LaCoursiere Jr., National Commander
Sep 19, 2024
Dear American Legion Family members and friends,
The shenanigans we’re seeing play out on Capitol Hill are more than typical political bickering. They are endangering our national security, military readiness, and other core issues for veterans, servicemembers and their families.
In short: We’re less than two weeks away from a government shutdown as Congress is unable to pass spending legislation before a new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Our elected representatives are looking at yet another stopgap measure, a continuing resolution (CR) which is akin to placing a bandage on a wounded body part that requires major surgery.
There are numerous reasons why passage of a CR would gravely impact America. Among them:
Military readiness and operations: A CR would be disruptive in several ways, compromising military response operations to worldwide threats, reducing readiness training and putting the brakes on maintenance fixes, while simultaneously empowering known enemies.
Delayed pay for troops: Active-duty personnel and reservists could experience delays in receiving hard-earned pay raises, negatively impacting morale and financial stability, especially in the current economic climate. Imagine being a young servicemember and having to talk with a spouse or partner about which bills to pay, just because Congress is mired in a political standoff.
Border security: Already stretched thin, border protection agencies could face staffing shortages and resource limitations, increasing their vulnerability to illegal activities and security threats.
Recruitment challenges: The armed forces are already faced with challenges when it comes to recruiting the best and the brightest. As the standoff takes its toll, potential recruits’ enlistment bonuses could be halted, risking that they forego military service due to financial uncertainty. Additionally, current servicemembers could choose to not re-enlist, creating talent shortages in areas critical to national security.
Those are among the scenarios we will be facing with a CR, instead of a fully funded fiscal year. But there is still time for Congress to do the right thing.
Our members of Congress must push aside their political posturing, focus on completing the mandated task at hand and doing what is right for America, its military members and their families. I am calling on Congress to pass an actual spending bill on time to ensure our military is properly funded throughout this fiscal year.
National Commander
James LaCoursiere Jr.
September 9, 2024
From the Commander:
Greetings Family,
September has arrived! Our children and our grandchildren are headed back to school. It has been an eventful summer with Brasstacular, The Warrior Benefit Concert as well as the Harley Burgess Golf Tournament. If I have left out anything else again, thank you for your participation and volunteerism as well as supporting of these events.
September marks the start up of all of our Legion Family meetings. Please, if you are a member of any of these groups, then again please attend and participate in these groups. Your input is important to help continue the advancement of our post, to keep it positive and help moving us through the 21st century.
Talk about moving forward, our website www.greeceny468legionpost.com is up and running thanks to Kevin Woodbury, our Legion's 1st Vice Commander. If your group is having an event send a email to Kevin at [email protected] and he will put it up on our website as well as Barry[email protected] who maintains the monitor at the post.
As I conclude, thank you all for the support I have been given. My goal is to continue to strive to make Post 468 a welcoming environment. Judgement, being disrespectful or critical of any member tarnishes our primary purpose which is honoring all Veterans and Families, living or deceased.
Thank you and may God bless all of you.
For God and Country
Daniel L. Perna, Commander, American Legion Greece Post 468