New York City Council
Committee on Veterans
Apr 02, 2024
·
10:00 AM
2 hr 4 min
Summary
A hearing examining the needs of veterans who served during the Cold War era. Discussions centered on establishing formal days to honor the service of Korean War, D-Day, and Cold War veterans, extending property tax exemptions to Cold War era veterans in NYC, increasing funding for veteran services and outreach efforts, and addressing barriers in accessing benefits like VA healthcare and pensions faced by this underserved group. Features testimony from the NYC Department of Veterans Services, veteran organizations, advocates, and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Robert Holden opens oversight hearing on Cold War veterans
Council Member Robert Holden initiates the oversight hearing on Cold War veterans, focusing on honoring veterans through the discussion of three key resolutions. - Holden introduces three resolutions aimed at …
0:00:00
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86 sec
Council Member Julie Menin's remarks on Resolution 157 to recognize D-Day Remembrance Day
Council Member Julie Menin introduces Resolution 157 to recognize June 6 as D-Day Remembrance Day, marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day. - Menin highlights the historical significance of D-Day, wherein …
0:01:26
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92 sec
Council Member Robert Holden's remarks honoring Korean War and Cold War era veterans
Council Member Robert Holden highlights the significance of honoring Korean War and Cold War era veterans in New York City. - Addresses resolutions to honor Korean War and defense veterans, …
0:02:58
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3 min
James Hendon, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans Services, on Supporting Peace Time Era and Cold War Veterans
Commissioner James Hendon of the New York City Department of Veterans Services testifies on the department's efforts to support peace time era and Cold War veterans. - Hendon emphasizes the …
0:07:22
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17 min
How could offering property tax exemptions increase veterans' self-identification?
Commissioner James Hendon confirms that offering a property tax exemption could lead to more veterans self-identifying and accessing additional services. - Currently, 24.2% of veterans self-identify, with 62% of combat …
0:25:23
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70 sec
Should Cold War veterans receive equal benefits to other veterans?
Commissioner James Hendon advocates for equal benefits for all veterans, emphasizing inclusivity regardless of service specifics. - Hendon suggests that all veterans, not just those who served in combat or …
0:26:34
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45 sec
What are the outreach efforts for Cold War veterans by the New York City Department of Veterans Services?
The New York City Department of Veterans Services employs various communication methods to reach out to Cold War veterans. - A weekly newsletter is emailed to approximately 10,000 subscribers, including …
0:27:26
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160 sec
How is feedback from veterans, including Cold War veterans, collected and managed by the NYC Department of Veterans Services?
The Department of Veterans Services collects feedback from all veterans, including Cold War veterans, via community surveys and a connect inbox but does not separate responses by combat era. - …
0:30:06
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61 sec
What organizations support Cold War veterans, and how significant is the topic among them?
Commissioner James Hendon states that the topic of Cold War veterans is not significantly focused among veterans organizations, except for a national group without a New York City presence. - …
0:31:09
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51 sec
How can the NYC City Council improve support for Cold War veterans?
Council Member Robert Holden queries about enhancing support for Cold War veterans, and officials discuss property tax exemptions and outreach strategies. - Discussion highlights the historical federal decisions impacting veteran …
0:32:00
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3 min
How can existing city-wide communications be used to enhance outreach to veterans?
The New York City Department of Veterans Services is exploring additional outreach methods, including utilizing existing city-wide communications, to reach more veterans. - Sandra Alvarez discusses sharing information with senior …
0:35:32
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174 sec
What services are peacetime veterans missing, and how does the VA healthcare system address their needs?
Peacetime veterans, particularly guard and reservists, often lack access to VA healthcare due to eligibility requirements, but recent changes allow those with toxic exposure to qualify. - VA healthcare is …
0:38:46
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154 sec
Council Member Vickie Paladino on her resolution establishing Korean War Veterans Day
Council Member Vickie Paladino discusses resolution number 279, aimed at officially recognizing July 27th as Korean War Veterans Day. - Paladino emphasizes the importance of recognizing Korean War veterans, historically …
0:41:33
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100 sec
Council Member Robert Holden's remarks on the Korean War
Council Member Robert Holden reflects on the Korean War, highlighting its intensity and personal family connections. - Holden shares his memories of the Korean War, referring to it as a …
0:43:14
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59 sec
Council Member Joann Ariola on veterans' needs and support
Council Member Joann Ariola emphasizes the importance of prioritizing veterans' needs, including healthcare and housing, over resources allocated to new city arrivals. - Ariola criticizes the current allocation of resources, …
0:44:16
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138 sec
Council Member Robert Holden on allocating budget for veteran services in NYC
Council Member Robert Holden advocates for a budget allocation for veteran services in NYC during a city council meeting. - Proposes a member item initiative for veterans, arguing each council …
0:46:36
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140 sec
Ashton Stewart, Veteran Liaison at MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., on Enhancing Support and Recognition for World War II and Korean War Veterans
Ashton Stewart advocates for increased recognition and support for World War II and Korean War veterans. - Stewart highlights the unique challenges faced by aging World War II and Korean …
0:52:41
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5 min
Peter Kempner, Legal Director of Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS), on Enhancing Support for Older and Peacetime Veterans
Peter Kempner discusses the need for enhanced legal support for older and peacetime veterans, focusing on end-of-life planning and access to benefits. - Kempner presents the Volunteers of Legal Service …
0:57:49
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4 min
Can peacetime veterans receive pensions and service-connected disabilities, and what are the challenges in obtaining them?
Peter Kempner explains that peacetime veterans may be eligible for service-connected disabilities if they can demonstrate a nexus between their service and current disability, and outlines the VA pension eligibility …
1:02:18
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143 sec
Joshua Sooklal, Military and Veterans Program Manager for Hope for the Warriors, on Supporting Post-9/11 Military Members and Families
Joshua Sooklal advocates for increased support for post-9/11 military members and their families. - Sooklal thanks the council for the D-Day remembrance resolution and underscores the need for more support. …
1:04:45
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105 sec
Timothy Pena, Founder of The Forgotten Veteran, on Challenges Facing Cold War Veterans and Access to Benefits
Timothy Pena discusses the issues Cold War veterans face, including PTSD, homelessness, and accessing VA benefits. - Pena shares his personal experiences of homelessness, working in transitional services, and the …
1:06:42
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5 min
How do Cold War veterans with combat experience obtain combat benefits, and is their eligibility automatically recognized?
Cold War veterans with combat experience, like Timothy Pena, can obtain combat benefits through a claim process, which is not always automatic but can result in recognition based on specific …
1:12:17
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158 sec
Armando Crescenzi, Associate Founder of Put Veterans First, on Challenges and Injustices Faced by Disabled Veterans in Street Vending in New York City
Armando Crescenzi, Associate Founder of Put Veterans First, advocates for better support and rights for disabled veterans in street vending in New York City. - Crescenzi discusses the difficulties and …
1:15:38
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3 min
Gene DeFrancis, Commander of the American Legion in Bronx County, on Advocating for Veteran Rights and Proposals for Community Safety in NYC
Gene DeFrancis discusses the contributions of veterans, criticizes veteran vendor regulations, proposes community safety measures, and argues for veterans' priority in resource allocation. - DeFrancis represents the American Legion in …
1:19:32
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7 min
Ricardo Garcia, 1st Vice Commander, American Legion, on the Just Homes Initiative and Veteran Homelessness in the Bronx
Ricardo Garcia petitions for the consideration of the Just Homes Initiative to address veteran homelessness and enhance medical services in the Bronx. - Garcia, a US Army combat disabled veteran, …
1:28:57
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6 min
Gus Stavroulakis on Addressing Veteran Benefits and Health Issues
Gus Stavroulakis, a Navy veteran and researcher at NYU, testifies about the challenges National Guard members face in obtaining benefits and the lack of resources for veterans, particularly in mental …
1:41:26
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3 min
Dr. Anne Gentry Terrell on Supporting Veterans' Mental Health Through the Cohen Military Family Center
Dr. Anne Gentry Terrell testifies on the effectiveness of the Cohen Military Family Center at NYU in providing mental health services to veterans and their families. - Testimony highlights the …
1:45:13
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3 min
Sergio Villaverde on Addressing the Challenges and Discrimination Faced by Reservists and National Guard Members
Sergio Villaverde, a Coast Guard Reserve veteran, speaks on the overlooked challenges reservists and National Guard members face, including employer discrimination and family stresses. - Villaverde discusses the special stresses …
1:49:10
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3 min
Ryan Graham, Vice Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW), Department of New York on Veterans' Needs and Organizational Support
Ryan Graham raises concerns over inadequate support and funding for veterans and veterans' service organizations (VSOs), highlighting the importance of recognizing lesser-known conflicts. - Graham emphasizes the broad scope of …
1:52:56
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7 min