CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN HONORS SACRIFICES OF HUDSON VALLEY VETERANS BY HAND-DELIVERING HOMEMADE VALENTINES
Congressman Pat Ryan Honors Sacrifices of Hudson Valley Veterans by Hand-Delivering Homemade Valentines
Ryan celebrates success of second annual “Valentines for Vets” program by hand-delivering thousands of cards made by NY-18 students and community members to veterans at Castle Point VA
WAPPINGERS FALL, NY – Today, Congressman Pat Ryan honored the sacrifices of Hudson Valley veterans by hand-delivering Valentines cards homemade by Hudson Valley students and community members for his second annual “Valentines for Vets.” Congressman Ryan delivered over one thousand cards to veterans at the Castle Point VA; his staff hand-delivered thousands more to Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) across NY-18 over the past week.
“Our veterans made huge sacrifices to protect their fellow Americans that we can never truly repay them for,” said Representative Ryan. “It was a privilege to watch their faces light up when reading personal messages of gratitude from young students. Thank you to the thousands of our neighbors from across the Hudson Valley who came together to show our veterans that their selfless service does not go unnoticed.”
“The Veterans of Ulster County truly appreciate Congressman Ryan’s efforts to make sure no Veteran is left behind,” said Mark Cozzupoli, Director of Ulster County Veterans Services and Chief Master Sergeant, United States Air Force (Retired). “Small gestures such as Valentine’s cards are appreciated especially for those who are stuck in the VA Hospitals.”
“We can’t thank Congressman Ryan enough for his continued support during VA’s National Salute to Veteran Patients Week,” said Nicole Embry, Chief, Center for Development and Civic engagement, VA Hudson Valley Care System (VA Castle Point). “This year’s incredible donation of 6,500 Valentine cards will warm the hearts of the Veterans who receive care at VA Hudson Valley Health Care System’s nine locations throughout the Hudson Valley. We look forward to partnering with Congressman Ryan and the community every year to remind our nation’s Veterans how much their sacrifices mean to us.”
“The Veterans that we work with sincerely appreciate the Valentines – it’s amazing how a card and a thank you make them feel appreciated,” said Alyssa Carrion, Veterans Program Director, Veterans Services, MHA Ulster County, Pleasant Valley. “Thank you so much to Congressman Ryan and his staff for remembering our Veterans today and every day.”
Today’s event concluded Congressman Ryan’s second annual Valentines for Vets program. Since Valentine's Day, members of the Congressman’s staff have hand-delivered cards to veterans at VSOs across the Hudson Valley, including an initial 6,500 cards to the Castle Point VA, Mental Health America of Dutchess County, Ulster County Veteran Services and the Middletown Veterans Center, among others.
Numerous local schools participated in Congressman Ryan’s Valentines for Vets, with students contributing their handmade cards, including schools in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. Sanfordville Elementary School in Warwick hosted its own Valentines for Vets celebration and the school was recognized for its extraordinary acts of kindness for Hudson Valley veterans with a Congressional Certificate.
In 2023, Congressman Ryan collected over 9,000 valentines made by Hudson Valley students and community members and hand-delivered them to veterans at Castle Point VA and Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Valentines were also delivered by his office to Hudson River Housing and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) across the Hudson Valley.
Congressman Pat Ryan is a U.S. Army veteran, having served two combat tours in Iraq, and is the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in the U.S. House of Representatives. He sits on the House Armed Services Committee and has prioritized sponsoring and cosponsoring extensive legislation to deliver relief for veterans, service members, and military families. In November, Congressman Ryan launched a “Veterans Week of Action” in advance of Veterans Day with multiple stops by his Constituent Advocacy Resources Empowerment Services (C.A.R.E.S.) Van to assist veterans at Hudson Valley VSOs, the introduction of his “Never Forgotten Korean War POW Act,” and presentation of a posthumous Purple Heart to a Hudson Valley veteran’s surviving family.
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