Grand opening is this Saturday in New Windsor
The Orange County New York Veterans’ Center has a new home and members of the public are invited to attend a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony this Saturday at 11 a.m. at the former Disabled American Veterans (DAV) location on Lawrence Avenue in New Windsor. The gathering will also serve as the ninth anniversary event for the center’s founding group – the Chosin Leathernecks Motorcycle Club, Inc.
For a suggested $25 donation, guests can enjoy music, food vendors, drinks, the military vehicles on display, games, and learn about veteran support services. Honored guests will include state, county, and town representatives.
The veterans’ center had formerly been located up the block in a leased warehouse on Walsh Avenue, but in March 2019, the DAV facility closed and the motorcycle club expressed interest in renting the building as it was larger, offered more parking, had a hall and kitchen, and allowed for a greater opportunity to accomplish its mission. The club eventually purchased the building.
“In January 2020, we took over the former DAV facility in New Windsor,” said the center’s executive director Col. Robert Anderson. “During 2020 and most of 2021, we invested our time and resources to renovate the facility and to open it as a place for all veterans to utilize. Those past two years have hampered our efforts and ability, but as 2022 has improved our operating opportunities, we are starting to be able to open the facility and welcome in veterans and the local community.”
The Chosin Leathernecks is an all-Marine motorcycle club which enjoys riding, hanging out with other Marines, and doing things to help fellow veterans. The local chapter only has about a dozen members, but nationwide there are over 4,000 members in multiple chapters. To be a member, one needs to be a Marine, honorably discharged, and own a motorcycle. There’s no restriction on war, combat, or non-combat status.
The Orange County New York Veterans’ Center is a place for all veterans to seek comradeship with other veterans, participate in activities, or seek support and assistance.
“Many veterans, old and young, just need a place to go and be with others who have gone through what they have and understand them,” Anderson said. “Comradery with other veterans is the friendship and sense of belonging that many veterans seek.”
Other events include monthly Marine Corps League meetings, periodic veteran center member meetings, and recognition of significant military dates. The Living Sober Veteran Support Group meets at 9 a.m. every Wednesday. The facility is open from 4 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and from noon to midnight on weekends.
