Veterans Day is an annual federal holiday held on Nov. 11, the anniversary of the end of World War I. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the recognition was created “to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.” Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, and became a national holiday in the U.S. in 1938. The name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954, to honor all veterans. Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized the first celebration of Veterans Day in 1947.
November is also National Military Family Appreciation Month, established in 1993 by the Armed Services YMCA. Since then, the U.S. government has recognized the occasion annually as a time to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifice of military families—parents, spouses, children—who know, just as the service members do, what it means to serve.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, New York State is home to approximately 838,000 veterans from all branches of the military who served in Gulf Wars I and II, Vietnam Era, Korean War, and World War II, as well as those who served during peacetime. New York State is dedicated to supporting these veterans and their families who call New York home through the New York State Department of Veterans Services.
DEC actively partners with local organizations to connect veterans, active duty service members, and their families to New York’s vast natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities. Each autumn, DEC staff and veterans organizations host a three-day event, “Healing Veterans through Fly Fishing on the Salmon River,” for up to 15 participants. More than 30 guides and helpers volunteer their time to support the event, including current and former DEC staff and past participants. The fishing outing supports veterans, wounded active service members, and active service members transitioning out of the military. DEC thanks Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc., programs in Oswego, Fort Drum, and Syracuse, as well as all the local partners that make this annual event both a fun and healing experience.
Other recent activities to support veterans include a tour of DEC’s Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve and Environmental Education Center for disabled veterans, an outreach event with Daemen University's Veterans Services, and an Outdoor Adventure Day at Fort Drum. DEC has also partnered with Veterans Connection at Fort Drum to assist veterans reentering the civil workforce and continues to work to identify other programs and services like career fairs that are focused on supporting veterans and their families.
Part of New York State’s commitment to veterans are the many programs and benefits for veterans who join the public sector workforce. For example, veterans are eligible for additional points added to their final scores on competitive Civil Service exams. DEC encourages veterans to explore ongoing employment opportunities with DEC and becoming part of our team protecting the public health and environment for all New Yorkers.
Source: National Military Family Appreciation Month | Article | The United States Army
While we can never thank veterans and their families enough, DEC is marking this November with sincere gratitude to all veterans and their families for their service.
