All veterans of all services in all conflicts should submit an
application for an exemption to see if they qualify! Especially those
who served in combat zones - they can receive an additional 10%.
     To find out more, please go to the NYS Real Property Office web site
at: http://www.orps.state.ny.us/ and scroll down to "Exemptions" and click "Veterans Exemptions". You can download forms and instructions there. You will need a DD 214 and a copy of your deed as well as the application.
     Also call our local Red Hook Town assessor 845-758-4604 or 4605 or email jchurchill@redhook.org or dpicciano@redhook.org if you have any questions. DO IT NOW! Deadline is Saturday, March 1, 2008!

Poughkeepsie Journal: Deadline looms for vets' tax exemption - dateline February 27, 2008
The Dutchess County Veterans Services Agency and the county
executive's office remind Cold War veterans to take advantage of a
new property tax exemption by filing an application with their local
assessor by Saturday.
The Veterans Service Agency, 22 Market St., Poughkeepsie, can help
veterans get the paperwork into their local assessor. For
information, call 845-486-2060.
The "Cold War Property Tax Exemption" is available to veterans who
served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces between Sept. 2, 1945,
and Dec. 26, 1991, and were discharged or released under honorable
conditions. Veterans who qualify must not receive either the eligible
funds or alternative veterans' exemption for serving during a wartime
period or received an expeditionary medal. Ownership and residency
requirements also must be met.
Local Cold War veterans are eligible for a partial property tax
exemption on qualifying residential real property to the extent of 15
percent of the assessed value of the property, up to a maximum
allowable exemption of $12,000. The law also provides an additional
exemption to disabled veterans. - Jenny Lee

Group holds dinner to aid Iraq unit
By Michael Valkys, Poughkeepsie Journal

RED HOOK - Linda Perry didn't mind driving up from her Rockland County home to help out at a spaghetti dinner Saturday at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post here.
     With the smell of sauce hanging heavy and steaming plates of pasta passing by, Perry said working with the Friends of the 104th Military Police Battalion, which helps support families of National Guard members in Iraq, was well worth the trip.
     "Anything I can do to help the families and support the troops, I'll do," said Perry, whose son, 1st Lt. Steven Perry, is the 104th's company commander in Iraq. "It's really important they know we support them."
     Judging by the dozens of people in attendance early Saturday evening, support for the troops is not lacking.
     The group holds many such fundraising events for families of the 76 soldiers from the Kingston-based 104th, whose members are serving in southern Iraq.
     But Saturday's spaghetti dinner was special.
     That's because it may be the group's last fundraiser before the 104th returns home, which family members said should be in the coming weeks.
Many valley residents
     The unit's members, the majority hailing from the Hudson Valley, left New York in June for training in Texas. They then deployed to Iraq.
     Proceeds from Saturday's event, which also included a 50-50 raffle and blind auction of donated gifts, will go toward a celebration ceremony for the unit when it returns.
     Highland resident Karen Sheehy is waiting for 104th member Patrick Sheehy, her high school sweetheart and husband, to return home.
     She said knowing her husband's return is now just a short time away can be an emotional double-edged sword.
     "I'm excited," Karen Sheehy said. "And anxious. You have to find a way to balance it out."
     But she said spending time with other 104th families at events like Saturday's eases the emotional burden.
     The parking lot at VFW Post 7765 was packed with cars. With the sun setting and temperatures dropping, visitors were greeted by a blast of warm air and the aroma of Italian food as they walked inside.
     Some had already grabbed pieces of cake with red, white and blue lettering. A crocheted
     American flag hung in a frame on the wall, not far from a photo of the famous flag raising at Iwo Jima. An electric bingo board looked down on the room filled with folding tables and chairs.
     Milan resident Dave Byrne is a 29-year-old Army veteran who served in Iraq and Kuwait.
     At the VFW Saturday, Byrne said he knows firsthand how much it means to soldiers overseas to have the support of people back home.
     "It was a great morale booster," said Byrne, a VFW member. "It just reminded us that people haven't forgotten us over there."
Reach Michael Valkys at 845-437-4816 or mvalkys@poughkeepsiejournal.com