November 11th is Veterans Day. This day provides our nation the opportunity to celebrate and honor all those who served and sacrificed for our country. Because veterans have given so much to our country we, as US citizens, either through our government or otherwise, should be willing to give back to them. I am proud that New York state offers a number of programs to assist veterans, particularly after they have concluded their service and are transitioning back to civilian life. It is my understanding that the time of reintegration into civilian life is the most challenging for veterans.

One of the most successful ways of helping veterans reintegrate is to ensure they are able to find employment following their service. While the skills that veterans learn in the military can transition well into private employment, for whatever reason, too often either these skills are not recognized by an employer or the veterans themselves fail to sufficiently market their skills because they do not realize the value of their training. In order to combat this phenomenon, the New York State Department of Labor offers employment assistance to veterans. Specifically, DOL employs Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives who also happen to be veterans. These representatives specialize in advocating on behalf of veterans with businesses and community organizations to promote employment and training opportunities for veterans. Their services include job matching and job placement, conducting employer outreach and assisting in licensing opportunities. It is hoped that these employment representatives can serve as a bridge between a veteran and an employer which will lead to fulfilling employment that benefits the veteran and employer. To find a Local Veterans’ Employment Representative in the area, call the DOL at 888-469-7365 or visit www.labor.ny.gov/vets/employspec/veteransemployspec.shtm.

For broader services, New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs has veteran benefits advisors who work with veterans on a case-by-case basis to connect them with services and benefits. Advisors can assist veterans and their families finding and applying for programs that, among other things, provide rehabilitation, medical treatment, home health care, education and tax exemptions. If you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran and you would like the assistance of a veteran benefits advisor, they can be reached at 1-888-838-6797 or online at www.veterans.ny.gov.

Lastly, while gainful employment helps with a veteran’s reintegration into civilian life, education can also be of assistance and is sometimes necessary depending on the next career pursuit. If veterans wish to go to college or receive vocational training, New York also provides scholarships to veterans. Veterans Tuition Awards are provided for full- or part-time study for eligible veterans matriculated at an undergraduate or graduate institution or at an approved vocational training program. Full-time students can receive awards up to the full cost of tuition. For the 2017-18 academic year, the maximum annual full-time award is set at $6,670. More on this award and other tuition awards such as the Military Service Recognition Scholarship and the Regents Award, which are available to veterans’ family members, can be found at www.hesc.ny.gov.

The services New York state provides to veterans are only some of what we can do to assist and honor our veterans. In my experience, veterans tend to be humble individuals who aren’t seeking big accolades. Notwithstanding this fact, their service should be recognized and Veterans Day offers a perfect opportunity for us to do so. Thank you veterans for your service and for making the United States the great country that it is.

If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 200 North Second Street, Fulton, New York 13069, by e-mail at barclaw@nyassembly.gov or by calling (315) 598-5185. You may also find me, Assemblyman Barclay, on Facebook.