Vets honor the dead this Memorial Day

Over the past weekend, citizens across the country paid tribute to America’s fallen heroes.

Veterans and community members across the Hudson Valley spent Memorial Day honoring the ultimate sacrifice of so many who served.

Among those honoring their memory is Joe Masi, who served in the Air Force from 1963 to 1967.

“I think it builds character,” Masi said of his service. “It stabilized me. It gave me a purpose and I knew I had to take things very seriously.

Masi also served for more than two decades as a local alderman; something he was encouraged to do because of his service and his desire to become a political representative for veterans in his community.

“Veterans have a responsibility, and they know it, to help,” he said. “And I think more people need to get involved in politics, and be there for the right reason, to actually help their communities.” That’s why I’d like to see more veterans get involved. »

A study by the National Conference of State Legislatures found that nearly 1,000 veterans serve in their legislatures across the country. This number represents more than 12% of all state legislators nationwide.

Masi says that even amid partisan disagreements nationally, the sacrifice of those who served and the continued fight to secure more resources for those returning home cannot be forgotten.

“So they deserve to have more funding and to help them help returning veterans who, unfortunately, may not be as well off as someone like me who needs these services.” , did he declare.