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Veterans Services Agency March 2005
Robert J. Smith, Director
Defending the 106 Air National Guard Rescue Wing
The U.S. Department of Defense is beginning its next round of Base Realignment and Closure Process (BRAC) studies. County Executive Steve Levy, a staunch defender of keeping the 106th Air National Guard stationed here on Long Island, has been working tirelessly toward that goal. The following are some of the measures he has taken:
· Levy agreed to allocate an additional 73 acres of land at Gabreski Airport for use by the Guard. Five to six acres of the land will be used for additional tie down space for the Guard’s aircraft. The rest of the acreage will be used as a buffer zone that will give the base the flexibility to expand its operations if needed.
· In addition to the allocation of this land, the county agreed to wave the annual $36,000 Airport Joint Use Agreement fee the base formerly paid the county for use of the property.
· Levy also invited Governor Pataki to the tour the base, which he did. Levy demonstrated how effectively the base could serve as a Homeland Security Training Center .
· Levy sent James Morgo, the county’s Commissioner of Economic Development and Workforce Housing to the Pentagon to lobby for the base to remain open.
· Levy joined with Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi in lobbying congress and the pentagon not to close the base. Losing the base would, quite simply, put American lives at risk,” stated the joint letter sent from Levy and Suozzi.
Levy will continue his efforts to “convince those who would try to close the base that doing so would be a grave mistake.”
Levy Requests a $2,000 Increase for Memorial Day Observance
County Executive Levy has sponsored Resolution No. 1033-2005 which, if passed, will increase funding for the observance of Memorial Day at Calverton National Cemetary, Long Island National Cemetary at Pinelawn as well as grave sites of veterans buried in other cemeteries within the county of Suffolk. He is asking for an additional $2,000 to bring the annual appropriation to $3,500. “It is a small gesture of remembrance, but it means a lot to the families of our fallen soldiers. We want them to know that the people and the government of Suffolk County will never forget them or the many sacrifices they have made for our country,” said Levy.
Free County Parks Green Key Card
County Executive Levy reminds Suffolk Veterans with service connected disabilities that they are entitled to a free Parks Green Key card and are exempt from all Park fees except golf fees, golf and camping reservation penalty fees. To obtain your free Green Key card you need a VA Identification Card. For more information call the Parks Office at (631) 854-4949.
Mustard Gas in WWII
County Executive Levy wants our county’s veterans to know that the Veterans Administration is now attempting to locate the veterans who were exposed to mustard gas, lewisite and other poisons at the Maryland Edgewood Arsenal in 1943, as well as those exposed to chemicals in secret wartime experiments to study ways of protecting troops from chemical attack. Concerned veterans should call Suffolk Veterans Services Agency at (631) 853-8387.
Vietnam Wall Experience
The Town of Oyster Bay is bringing the Vietnam Wall Experience, a traveling three quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. to Marjorie R. Post Community Park, Unqua Road, Massapequa from April 30 through May 1, 2005. April 30th is the thirtieth anniversary of the end of US involvement in Vietnam. The Friends of the Community Service Department, Inc. are looking for volunteers to assist at this weekend event. Donations are also welcome. Contact (516) 797-7900 for more information.
QUESTIONS? Please Contact: James Heath, VSO, 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788-0099 Phone: (631) 853-VETS Fax: (631) 853-8390 E-mail: