Press release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:
As we approach our nation’s observance of Veterans Day this Monday, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is urging his constituents and all New Yorkers to set time aside this weekend and thank a veteran or current service member for their dedication and sacrifice to preserving our way of life.
Hawley, the son of a veteran, served seven years in the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves and reached the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He has served on the Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee for more than a decade.
“Military service runs deep in my family and Veterans Day will always hold a special place in my heart,” Hawley said. “Whether it be my annual Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C., to give back to local veterans or my efforts in Albany fighting for various tax credits, healthcare and education options available to our veterans, protecting those who have risked their lives to protect us will remain one of my top priorities.
"I encourage all my constituents and New Yorkers alike to take time this weekend to thank a veteran for their service and pray for those who are still fighting overseas.”
Hawley is a true champion in Albany for our current and retired military members, sponsoring several pieces of legislation to make the “Campaign Service Medal” more inclusive, help veterans start small businesses, and remove admission fees for veterans to state parks.
Hawley also played a pivotal role in ushering in the Veterans Buy-back Bill that allows vets to purchase up to three years of military service back from the state in exchange for a credit toward their public pension.
While to some, "Veterans Day
While to some, "Veterans Day is a "stark reminder," to many, it's more of an opportunity to market themselves and/or their business for many many others. My dad used to laugh about everyone having Veterans Day off except Veterans. He didn't mind because he really liked his job. Many politicians like to point out their status as Veterans to enhance their political standing and obviously Hawley is no exception. My dad also used to point out that most of the flag waving chest thumpers never saw anything like "real war."
I am a loyal soldier in life long quest for peace--seeking understanding in this life I lease. Tell me fellow being do you wish to crush my hand---upon our first meeting -- in this my own homeland ? We try to steer our leaders to do what's just and right--but often power seekers gain power from our fight. They feed us words to make us think foolishness to the brink and if that's not enough to make us hate they'll make our ships to sink///the Maine, the Lusitannia, the Arizona, the Liberty and the twin towers come to mind// all designed --- or commandeered --- to kick our collective behind. It backs those words they're feeding--it kicks us in the butt--we'll kill those dirty bastards in their houses and their huts. All the while puppeteers clinking up their glasses-- having once again pulled the wool o'er the eyes of the masses. But those we kill are you and I in endless righteous endeavor --- we all seek peace for kith and kin---and to concern --- of life --- love and... fair weather?
Dan Norstrand
I invite all Veterans to join Veterans For Peace.
I don't mind a politician who
I don't mind a politician who is a veteran waving the flag for veterans. Who I resent are those who never served, or worse, in, oh, say, 1968, avoided the draft through deferments and then campaign on how much they support veterans.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46560/dulce-et-decorum-est
Well it seems joining the
Well it seems joining the Nataional Guard is often another way to avoid the draft. It worked for one of history's most prolifically destructive and deadly war criminals in george bush jr. It also seemed to work for hawley. The Ohio National Guard murdered 4 students at Kent State while Hawley was a member. An unidentified Lieutenant has been most often cited as the person most culpable for the incident. Ever been to Kent State Lieutenant Hawley?