MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE

From Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
This Memorial Day we thanked America’s servicemen and women, especially those and their families who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 
The heart and history of America lies with those who wear this country’s uniform. Whether they fought to bring unity to Europe, acted heroically in Vietnam, or are serving valiantly on the battlefields of Iraq or Afghanistan today, we salute them for their service and we thank them for their courage.
As New Yorkers, we are acutely aware of the cost of freedom and liberty. In this city alone, we have over 70,000 veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and nearly 400,000 veterans in total.  Tragically, 85 New Yorkers have been killed in a final act of selflessness while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.    
Beyond our compassion and our gratitude, we owe our veterans training, health care and housing.  That is one of the reasons I created a joint task force to end veteran homelessness in the city.  This task force has teamed up with veteran service organizations and community agencies that have expertise in serving homeless veterans.  New York City is also the proud birthplace of the first ever veterans-only homeless shelter, the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence in Queens, the first-of-its-kind established in the United States.
Because I believe so strongly in helping those who have worn America’s uniform, I have also created the Veterans Advisory Board, a nine-member panel to advise the Office of Veterans Affairs about issues affecting this community. Our goal is to help local officials become more aware of how to better serve our veterans.
As you go about your lives, during Fleet Week, you may have an opportunity to meet a member of our military or their families.  If you do, I hope you will join me in saluting their bravery. They are the best among us and their service is what America is all about. May God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.
Mayor Mike Bloomberg