Chapter 944 Pushes for NY State Veterans Cemetery

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 944 President Thomas Buono met with U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-N.Y.) and veterans affairs officials Feb. 20 to discuss the possibility of bringing New York’s first state veterans cemetery to Oneida County. New York is one of a few states that doesn’t have a state veterans cemetery.

The meeting included Randy Reeves, VA Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs; retired Col. James McDonough, director of the state Division of Veterans Services; Anthony Picente Jr., Oneida County executive; Marianne Buttenschon, assemblywoman; and a representative of state Sen. Joseph Griffo’s office.

“Our veterans deserve to have the option to be laid to rest in a local veterans cemetery. I am proud to work with local, state, and federal officials to get this done,” Rep. Brindisi said in a statement. “Now that the county has identified potential land for this cemetery, I am more confident than ever we can get this across the finish line.”

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