Leaders in military service, business, community affairs and government have established an organization dedicated to raising funds to enhance and insure the quality of the memorial honoring our Nation’s veterans at New York State’s first veterans’ cemetery, NY State Veterans Cemetery—Finger Lakes.

Although the members of the Friends of the NY State Veterans Cemetery—Finger Lakes, are confident the NY State and Federal Government will provide the necessary day to day operating and maintenance funds for the cemetery, the Friends organization’s stated goals in raising financial support will be to achieve a higher standard of care, maintenance and permanent additions to the magnificent and naturally beautiful memorial to our Nation’s veterans. The Friends of the NY State Veterans Cemetery—Finger Lakes is approved and recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service with 501(c)(3) status as a nonprofit tax exempt corporation.

“The Friends leadership team consists of dedicated volunteers committed to raising the funds necessary to help guarantee the NY State Veterans Cemetery—Finger Lakes will be the world class, perpetual tribute to our veterans we all envision,” said the newly elected Chair, former NY State Senator Mike Nozzolio. “It was an incredibly happy day for all of us when the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery was selected to be the first New York State Veterans Cemetery, and it’s again an honor to bring dedicated individuals to work together to insure the lasting integrity and quality of this outstanding memorial to our Nation’s veterans. Every member of our Friends organization looks forward to supporting the efforts of the NY State Department Veterans Services Commissioner Viviana DeCohen and her excellent team in making the NYS Veterans Cemetery—Finger Lakes an exceptional memorial,” Nozzolio concluded.

Also chosen as officers of the Friends of the NY State Veterans Cemetery—Finger Lakes were retired United States Air Force General Bruce Tuxill of Penn Yan as ViceChair, Joan Sullivan Grela of Waterloo as Corporation Secretary and Certified Public Accountant Richard Ward, of the firm Cuddy and Ward of Auburn NY, as Treasurer.

At the first meeting of the Friends Group, members cited the outstanding work of Cemetery Director Bill Yale and the great group of volunteers that provide, and will continue to provide, wonderful support to the maintenance, operations and the special projects of the facility. It will also be the objective of the Friends of the NY State Veterans Cemetery—Finger Lakes to provide additional financial support to the work of the volunteers now underway and throughout the future, as well as to develop and support other projects that would be approved to enhance the operations and overall beauty of this perpetual memorial.

Also attending the first meeting of the newly constituted group were the founding directors of the former Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Rick Connors, Don Linborg and Carm Pascarella. Each are members of the NY State Veterans Hall of Fame, were recognized for all their service over the years, and honored with Director Emeritus status as members of the Friends of the NY State Veterans Cemetery—Finger Lakes.

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE WELCOME

Send To:
Friends of the NY State Veterans Cemetery—Finger Lakes
PO Box 444
Seneca Falls, NY 13148

FRIENDS OF THE NY STATE VETERANS CEMETERY—FINGER LAKES MEMBERS OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Christopher Catt, Tiffany Folk, Kenny Fellers, Joan Sullivan Grela, Doug Logan, Bruce Murray, Rena Nessler, Hon. Michael Nozzolio, President Robert Nye, President Ken Padgett, Linda Ratsep, Chip Rayno, Sharon Rayno, Mitch Rowe, Hon. Bob Shipley, Mike Smith, General Bruce Tuxill, General US Air Force, ret., Richard West, Admiral US Navy, ret., Emeritus Directors Rick Connors, Don Linborg and Carm Pascarella