Fleet Week Returns to NYC!
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The U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard will return to New York City for Fleet Week after two years of the event being held virtually. Nearly three thousand Sailors and Marines will visit NYC from May 25th through May 31st. We are proud to welcome them back to our City!
The weeklong event will include public ship visitations and a variety of military demonstrations, creating an invaluable opportunity for New Yorkers to understand what it means to serve our country and to connect in person with service members. View a list of Fleet Week events here.
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that Memorial Day commemoration ceremonies at VA national cemeteries will be open to the public, with no limits on entry for visitors. Learn more here.
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Over the past week, the NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) joined several community events held in honor of Fleet Week and Memorial Day:
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Renaming Ceremony at Fort Hamilton
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On Friday, May 20th, DVS Commissioner James Hendon joined the renaming ceremony that removed Confederate Civil War general Robert E. Lee's name from an Avenue at Fort Hamilton.
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General Lee Avenue has been renamed John Warren Avenue in honor of a Black Vietnam War hero from Brooklyn. Warren was a platoon leader in Vietnam. He was killed at the age of 22 when he used his body to shield his fellow soldiers from an enemy grenade. Warren was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
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Veterans Resource Fair in Queens
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On Saturday, May 21st, DVS and Operation Warrior Shield engaged local veterans at Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.’s Veterans Resource Fair. The fair was conducted at Atlas Park in Glendale, Queens.
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Queens County Council VFW Centennial
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On Saturday, May 21st, DVS joined the Queens County Council VFW to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Thank you for providing a century of support to veterans in Queens and across the City! Congratulations to the Honorees!
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On Sunday, May 22nd, DVS Commissioner Hendon joined Cub Scouts to flag 8,500 veteran graves at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. This was a powerful way to honor those we lost while teaching a younger generation about sacrifice and service.
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You're Invited: Got Your Six Summit
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DVS has partnered with the Bob Woodruff Foundation and Craig Newmark Philanthropies to host the Got Your 6 Summit on June 15th. It will be a day of networking and problem solving with public, private, and nonprofit sector representatives all focused on how to best support veterans in New York City.
Click here to register. Please feel free to share with your colleagues and other veteran advocates.
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DVS Programs and Initiatives
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Get the Benefits You Deserve
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DVS represents NYC veterans in claims for benefits from the VA. During a time of economic crisis and high unemployment, we wanted to ensure that every veteran got the financial benefits they earned. To file a claim, fill out the VetConnectNYC.org form (select "Benefits Navigation" as your preferred service).
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VetConnectPro: A New Employment Tool for NYC Veterans
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This past Veterans Day, the NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) officially launched VetConnectPro - a new employment tool designed to help veterans find employment, professional mentorship, and resources to advance their careers. Get started by creating or uploading your resume today: nyc.gov/vetconnectpro.
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Mission: VetCheck volunteers make check-in calls to veterans across NYC. Through these calls, volunteers provide veterans with information regarding vital public services, including free meals, information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, and mental health resources. To volunteer with Mission: VetCheck or request a check-in call, click here.
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Fighting Veteran Homelessness
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Over the past five years, our housing team has moved over 1,000 veterans from shelters and into permanent housing. Learn more about DVS's efforts to end veteran homelessness in NYC here.
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VetBizNYC: NYC's Veteran-Owned Business Map
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The Veteran Voices Project (VVP) is an oral history initiative designed to preserve the stories of NYC's Veterans. For more information, visit nyc.gov/vetvoices.
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How DVS Responded to the Pandemic
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Making supportive calls. Distributing face masks. Preparing meal kits. Housing the homeless. Processing VA benefit claims. Watch this video to learn how DVS responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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SITREP NYC: NYC's Official Veteran Podcast
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Listen to SITREP NYC, NYC's official veteran-focused podcast, to hear stories from veterans who are often ignored and underserved. Hear the complete season here or see below for a list of episodes:
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Stories of Transition
The Black Veteran Experience
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LGBT Veteran Stories
The Health of Women Veterans
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