LEGISLATURE STUFF - On the Most Human Level

Greene County Legislature has contributed $5,000 to the Greene County Vet2Vet Community Day, with legislative Majority Leader Matthew Luvera presenting the check to county Veterans Service Agency director Tyler Lynch (in checkered shirt). Standing to Lynch’s right is agency peer support specialist Anthony Derrico.

CAIRO - A battle of a very different sort is being fought on Greene County Vet2Vet Community Day, September 13, at Angelo Canna Park in Cairo.

Greene County Legislature members recently contributed $5,000 to the event, connecting with military veterans on the most human level.

“This is about bringing our veterans and the community together,” says county Veterans Service Agency director Tyler Lynch.

The mission of Greene County VET2VET, operating under the NYS Joseph P Dwyer Program, is to provide peer support to veterans and their families, according to their website.

That is accomplished by “raising awareness about the unique struggles veterans face, and building a stronger veteran community with camaraderie and mutual support, while honoring the veterans for their dedication to our country,” the website states.

“The program is 100% confidential and FREE and it provides non-clinical support and advocacy to the military community as well as their families,” the website states.

Greene County Vet2Vet links veterans to “resources such as benefits (SSI, SSD, service connection), food pantries, housing assistance, social activities and much more,” the website states.

“Whether someone is seeking advocacy or looking to connect and engage with the military community, Greene County Vet2Vet can help,” their website states, inviting any and all to the September 13 gathering.

“There are two purposes,” says Amanda Lyons, executive director of the county Human Services agency, overseers of Veterans Services.

“It is meant to let veterans and their families know the community embraces them. We also want to make sure veterans are aware of the services and programs available to them,” Lyons said.

“It is humbling so see how many people are in support of veterans and what they have done for our country,” Lyons said.

The celebration, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., includes a free luncheon, a live band, a Bounce House, exhibitors from the county sheriffs office and a friendly axe-throwing game, along with other activities.

“We are also having a cornhole tournament. Money raised at the event goes to a scholarship fund for the children of veterans,” Lyons said.

The area program is named in honor of PFC Joseph P. Dwyer, a native of Suffolk County who served as an Army medic in Iraq.

During a combat mission in Baghdad, he was photographed carrying an injured Iraqi boy. The photograph became iconic and was featured in newspapers across the country, the website states.

After returning home from Iraq, PFC Dwyer was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, but was “never the same” and experienced a number of challenges reintegrating into the civilian community.

“He battled post-traumatic stress, depression and substance abuse for several years following his military discharge. In July 2008, PFC Dwyer passed away at the age of 31 years,” the website states.

The tremendous success of the Dwyer Program since late 2012 provides an important reminder of the ongoing impact of PFC Dwyer’s life and contributions to the veteran and military communities. 

Peer support within the veteran community is a vital lifeline, offering veterans a safe space to share their experiences and challenges with others who truly understand,” the website states.

This mutual support fosters a sense of belonging and reduces feelings of isolation, as veterans can relate to each other's journeys in ways that others may not.

By sharing their stories and experiences, we can foster a greater understanding and empathy within the broader community.

In the veteran community, a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual support prevails, fostering deep bonds that transcend individual backgrounds and experiences,” the website states.

“By uniting around their common experiences and goals, veterans ensure that no member feels alone in their journey,” Lynch said. “We’ve helped a lot of people totally change the way they interact” in life.