Attention Western New York Vets...please Read

[spike]

To all...

There is a Veterans Cemetery petition going around sponsored first by the VVA #77, and being co-sponsored by the Marine Corps League. The closest Veteran Cemetery is in Bath, New York some 100-120 miles away. Erie County has the 4th Largest Veterans Population in NYS, but we do not have a designated local Veteran Cemetery, to honor our Veterans. It is about 2 1/2 hours away from me, I can attest. I have petitions already being signed. If anyone is interested, I can scan and send you a copy to sign, and scan on your end and send back. For those who may have already lost a loved one, I apologize. As spouses get older and family members gather, it becomes harder and harder to drive. If anyone has questions or comments, I am all ears.

We are asking for Western NY Veterans population for full support on this measure. It doesn't matter what organization you participate in. We are all Veterans. Also you never know if one of our off spring may be enlisted, we can set a foundation for WNY to have available burials for those in the future to pay their respects to locally.

[Berta]

Spike I will open my email if you could send this info to me-

My neighbor works at the Bath Cemetery and my husband is there-

my neighbor never mentioned this to me-

is this for more space? the Bath VA was donated extra land 2 years ago by a farmer next to the cememtery there- I am concerned as to what this is all about-

The MArine Corps League has asked me to join- forget if I did yet Think so- -so I am most interested in what this is all about-

The Bath Cemetery (was there last week) is Beautiful and I have a VA deed already for my burial on top of Rod.

Hope they aint clsoing the place- they are running out of room but can put spouses on top of veterans.

[Berta]

"Also you never know if one of our off spring may be enlisted, we can set a foundation for WNY to have available burials for those in the future to pay their respects to locally."

Good point- my daughter is a wartime vet.

But why would a foundation be needed-

the VA cemetery burial is a established benefit-

Are they running out of space in western NY VA cemeteries?

opened my PM doodad for you Spike -please send me more info-

[spike]

Berta,

I am the Veterans Service Officer for the Marine Corps League Conrad Kania detachment on Ward in Tonawanda NY. Locally the VVA #77 on Main Street in Tonawanda NY is the orginators of this petition. Here is how the petition is worded as I read from the ones I have.

Veteran's Cemetery Petition

Dear Friend,

The county of Erie bhas the 4th largest veteran's population in the state of New York and the 15th largest in the United States, yet we do not have a designated veteran's cemetary to honor those men and women who have servied this country. The closest veteran's cemetery is in Bath, New York, over 100 miles away!

We, the citizens of Erie County and Western New York, petition the State of New York and teh State Veterans Deparment to erect a cemetery here in Buffalo, New York. The findings of the New York State Veterans Sitting Committee formed under the request. PRoperty winthin an existing Erie County cemetary has been proposed for this purpose. We ask for your support.

We, the undersigned, support the call for development of a state designated veteran's cemetery:

.....signature places.

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________

What i meant for the foundation comment, is not that a "financial foundation" but rather a laying of the ground work for the larger counties to have Veterans Cemetery. I have reviewed the 109th congress proposal for 2008 and you would be dissapointed to see what is proposed for funding, however. I believe it is in the rough draft stages. But back to the post at hand.....there is strength in numbers. I apologize for your loss. I am sure that this would provide more space in Bath for those who live near there, as Veterans who reside in Western NY would have a choice to be closer to "home". The option at this time is to either go far to Bath NY or out of pocket expenses for localized cemetaries. I am not sure if all VVA's or Marine Corps League's are aware at this time. I know this is relatively new (was brought up very recently).

[Berta]

OH- OK I have 2 Tonawanda vets- guess you know what SNOW IS too!

Can I copy this as you posted it, sign it, and send it to the VVA address or wherever you suggest?

I can also try to pass this on to local vets-then again I might be restricted from doing that at the local VA-

I get it now-very good idea-

what input do you have from your district US representative on this ?

Has Hillary or Chuck Schumer showed any interest?

Sounds however that you guys did lots of legwork already- good for you- that is how a handful of us got tax breaks for vets on property taxes-locally-no petition needed -we just were persistent.

[spike]

Berta,

I sent a PM as requested did you receive more infomation in your pm