November is Military Family Appreciation Month

On October 8, 1919, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation.” The observance of Veterans Day is an opportunity to celebrate America’s veterans for their patriotism, willingness to serve, love of their country, and sacrifice for the common good.¹

In conjunction with Veterans Day, November is also known as Military Family Appreciation Month. Each year the President signs a proclamation marking the beginning of a month-long celebration of the Military Family and the sacrifices and commitment made by the families of the nation’s servicemen and service women.² Community businesses, leaders, and military bases work together to recognizes military families through various events, such as family fun nights, fun runs, community dinners, etc.

This year, there are ways that the Putnam County community is helping Veterans and military families.  The Putnam County Veterans Taskforce is hosting the 2^nd Annual Veterans Legislative Forum on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Bureau of Emergency Service Auditorium located at 112 Old Route 6, Carmel, NY from 9:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. This is an ideal opportunity to speak to your elected officials or hear about issues facing Veterans such as military sexual trauma, Veteran suicide, Veterans Affairs benefits/healthcare systems, and several more. For more information, please contact Karl Rohde, Director of Putnam County Veterans Service Agency, at 845-808-1620 ext. 46019 or by email at karl.rohde@putnamcountyny.gov.

Additionally, the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity is looking for a military family (or any Putnam County family) to own the third home recently built that is located in Putnam Valley, NY. The applicant(s) must either work or live in Putnam County, be a legal resident of the United States, currently living in substandard housing, willing to provide 500 hours of ‘sweat equity,’ and have a gross annual income of $50, 000 to $70, 000. If you and your family would like to participate in this program, please contact the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity by phone at 845-230-8022 or by email at info@habitatiputnam.org.

The VetCorps Program and the Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition would like to thank all Veterans for their dedicated service and all military families for their support and sacrifice for their uniformed service member. If you have any questions or would like more information about the VetCorps Program  or the events discussed above, please contact the Prevention Coordinator, Chauntel Wright, at putnamvetcorp@gmail.com or VetCorps Supervisor, Elaine Santos, at putnamdfcgrantee@gmail.com. Both can be reached by phone at 845-225-4646.

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References

¹ http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

² http://www.military.com/military-family-appreciation-month