President Obama Speaks at Memorial Day Service

The President speaks at a Memorial Day Service at Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial Day Message from New York's Governor

Statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo

"Today we honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the service of our country. Memorial Day is a time to reflect upon the sacrifices made by members of the armed services and express our gratitude for the protection they continue to provide. During this time of war, we must always keep in mind the families who will forever be separated from their loved ones. We mourn their loss and honor the sacrifice of heroes of all generations. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I would like to thank the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, both from New York and across the nation, for their dedicated service."

Memorial Day Salute to Fallen Soldiers

Honoring Lives Lost....and Sacrifices Made

Memorial Day

By Joyce Kilmer

The bugle echoes shrill and sweet,
But not of war it sings to-day.
The road is rhythmic with the feet
Of men-at-arms who come to pray.

The roses blossom white and red
On tombs where weary soldiers lie;
Flags wave above the honored dead
And martial music cleaves the sky.

Above their wreath-strewn graves we kneel,
They kept the faith and fought the fight.
Through flying lead and crimson steel
They plunged for Freedom and the Right.

May we, their grateful children, learn
Their strength, who lie beneath this sod,
Who went through fire and death to earn
At last the accolade of God.

In shining rank on rank arrayed
They march, the legions of the Lord;
He is their Captain unafraid,
The Prince of Peace...Who brought a sword.

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Senate Passes Pre-Memorial Day Bills Honoring Service of Veterans, Past and Current

Bills Provide Additional Entitlements

Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), ranking member of the New York State Senate’s Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs Committee, today announced the passage of several bills before the New York State Senate in honor of all the brave men and women who decided to protect and serve the United States during non-combat and combat instances.

The ten bills, comprising the Senate’s Active List for Wednesday, May 25^th, would build upon the Senate’s ongoing commitment to increased recognition and respect for veterans and their families. Addabbo voted in favor of all the veteran military bills, including a bill (S.2497) that would require the executive director of the office of real property services to create a list of documents in support of a veteran’s eligibility when applying for real property tax exemptions.

The proposed law would make it easier for veterans to apply for real property tax exemptions. With the exception of S.656, all bills now await passage by the Assembly before going to Governor Andrew Cuomo for signature. The ten bills included:

Bill S.2497, cited above; Bill S.656, authorizing the Department of Environmental Conservation to designate additional fishing events as rehabilitation for armed forces veterans or active members with need for veterans or active duty members to obtain fishing licenses; Bill S.3192, establishing a mechanism for parents or guardians who find themselves deployed for short term military service to appoint a short term military guardian for their child or children during service; Bill S.3222, permitting municipalities to enact a local law to grant additional combat veteran exemptions to persons not discharged from their subsequent service; Bill S.5337, prohibiting the unauthorized use of the names and images of members of the armed forces or organized militia of New York.

Bill S.3228, prevents the court from using deployment and military status as a detrimental factor in determining custody; Bill S.193, allows honorably discharged veterans certified as having a 40% or greater service-connected disability to purchase a lifetime sportsman license for a twenty dollar fee; Bill S.824, provides qualified veterans with a certified disability access by a float plane to appropriate lands under the Department of Environmental Conservation’s jurisdiction; Bill S.4569, which extends two previous military law sections, allowing for rental of armories for non-military use when available and transporting monies from those armory rentals back into the armories state wide to cover operating costs; and Bill S.3684, amending the definition of naval militia to conform with federal law and legally recognize the naval militia as the naval forces of the state of New York.

Senator Addabbo stated, “As we approach Memorial Day, the Senate is doing its part to honor veterans and remain mindful of their service to our country. Since the 19th century, the United States has honored the legacies of these brave individuals and proclaimed Memorial Day to be a significant day to acknowledge those that did not make it home.”

Addabbo noted by advancing these bills, the legislature would ensure military-family privacies, the entitlement of additional benefits, an expansion of recreational activities with fewer restrictions, and support in custodial matters.

“New York was the first state to recognize Memorial Day in 1873, and today as we remain mindful of those veterans who have left us, we cannot forget our current service men and woman who have served, are serving, and who have provided countless hours of service to defend our freedoms,” concluded Addabbo.