Plattsburgh’s Military Appreciation Day

This Saturday, Plattsburgh’s Crete Memorial Civic Center will be transformed into a go-to place for veterans looking for answers and assistance. The American Military Retirees Association and Clinton County Veterans Service Agency, in conjunction with the Fort Drum Retiree Council, will host the informational event for the area’s veterans, military retirees and active members of the military, as well as their families and caregivers. 

Mayor Donald Kasprzak has proclaimed Saturday Military Appreciation Day in conjunction with the event. The event will feature exhibits by more than 50 federal, state and local entities offering assistance with everything from health-care and financial issues to legal and insurance matters.

Members of the Fort Drum Legal Office will be at the event to offer information on wills and powers of attorney for military retirees. And William Kraus, acting director of the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs, will be on hand to discuss a variety of topics, including veterans’ home loans, burial services and disability and survivor benefits.  Counseling services, blood-pressure checks and information on employment opportunities will also be available.

The Crete Center, which is wheel-chair accessible, will open for the event at 9 a.m. Opening ceremonies will kick off at 9:15 a.m., followed by a briefing from a representative of Defense Finance Accounting Services at 10:30 a.m. The Drew Crew Cloggers will provide live entertainment at 11:30 a.m., and a representative of TRICARE Military Healthcare will discuss military healthcare program changes at 12:30 p.m.
Congressman Bill Owens and Assembly member Janet Duprey are also expected to attend, according to Baumgarten. The event, which will conclude at 2 p.m., is free and open to the public and will be broadcast live on WIRY Hometown Radio. Refreshments, as well as wheelchairs and scooters, will be available. Email Ashleigh Livingston: alivingston@pressrepublican.com