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Councilman Ulrich wants May to be recognized as Military Appreciation Month in the city.
By Forum Staff
City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) recently announced a new bill calling on the City to recognize the month of May as Military Appreciation Month.
According to Ulrich, the proposed legislation aims to acknowledge the sacrifices made by our nation’s veterans and their families.
“Although it would be impossible to fully repay the debt we owe our veterans for their service, civic institutions should make every effort to commemorate the service of our veterans,” Ulrich said. “As chair of the City Council’s Veterans Committee, it has been a privilege to serve the brave men and women who have served this country. I vow to continue being an advocate for our nation’s heroes.”
As Ulrich noted, the Military Appreciation Month bill is the latest in a series of initiatives spearheaded by the Ozone Park councilman over the past two years “to make New York City the most veteran-friendly city in the country,” including:
In 2015, the Council unanimously passed Ulrich’s legislation to create the Department of Veterans Services. The new agency helps veterans in New York City find housing, jobs and medical care when they return from service.
In 2016, Ulrich helped to open a DVS satellite office in Borough Hall. Before last year, veterans were forced to travel to lower Manhattan to seek assistance from the City.
In February of this year, the councilman also co-sponsored a veterans property tax relief bill that would make it easier for veterans to stay in their homes. The City currently offers a veterans property tax exemption, but this does not include the school district portion of the tax bill. Veterans who are eligible for this tax break are still forced to pay back the school district tax portion.
“These new initiatives are symbolic of the progress that we’ve made, but sadly, it isn’t nearly enough for the 225,000 brave men and women in uniform who call New York City home,” Ulrich added. “I urge my colleagues in the City Council to join me in my fight for our veterans.”
