Veterans memorial to be dedicated in Malta
Enough people and businesses have responded to a call to purchase commemorative bricks to help veterans in need in the Malta area.
Due to the response, the Malta Veterans Appreciation Program will be able to dedicate the town of Malta Veteran Memorial Walkway from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at David T. Wallingford Memorial Park at the Malta Town Hall Complex.
Retired Army Brig. Gen. Barry Hartman, Gold Star Dad John Mckenna, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, state Sen. James Tedisco, Assemblywoman Carrier Woerner and others are expected to speak. The Ballston Spa High School Band will entertain.
The bricks will also be dedicated.
Each brick honors a veteran, a fallen service member, an active duty person and others. Each brick was sold for $100. MVAP volunteers use the funds to help veterans in a variety of ways, said Renee Farley, a MVAP founder and spokeswoman.
Farley and her legion of volunteers already are looking to the future to help more veterans and expand the walkway.
Brick applications for the benefit of future MVAP projects will be available during the ceremony.
“An expansion of the existing Memorial Park will become a park setting with future dedicated walkways, benches and landscaping for residents and veterans to honor their loved ones,” Farley said. “Create a lasting tribute to your hometown heroes.”
Scores of MVAP volunteers have been helping veterans since 2015. The group can put out a call for action via social media whenever there’s a veteran in need. Volunteers have responded by transporting veterans to medical appointments, replaced a roof, complete home repairs and maintenance, cleaned up
yards, provide household goods, build ramps for the handicapped, installed a chairlift and completed other helpful tasks.
The group, with the help of
laborers, contractors, union members and businesses, has renovated two homes for veteran families through its Homes for Heroes Project. The group is
working to renovate a third home. MVAP also provides medical equipment.
“We are always in need of more volunteers in all capacities, workers, help with Facebook, website, flyers, fundraising, carpenters, handypersons, food deliveries, etc.,” Farley said.
Veterans in need of help or those seeking more information on MVAP may contact Renee Farley at 518-577-8863, Brian Haas at 518-487-1072, Paul Mosseau at 518-225-1186 or Dave Wallingford at 518-584-9137.
To help and purchase a brick online, visit WWW.MALTAVETS. com. You can download a form and mail donations payable to MVAP or Malta Veterans Appreciation Program at MVAP, 4158A Silverbeach Road, Malta, NY 12020.
New master sergeant
Brooke Albert of Troy has been promoted to master sergeant in the New York Army National Guard during a ceremony held at state Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters in Latham.
Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, state assistant adjutant general, and her father, retired Master Sgt. John Leavitt promoted her.
Albert was joined by her stepdaughter, Nicole Albert, who pinned on her new rank and her sister, New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Heather Ruter, who placed her new shoulder sleeve insignia for her new assignment with the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade on her uniform.
Albert, who serves as the senior human resources administrative readiness noncommissioned officer for the Headquarters Detachment of the New York Army National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Latham, is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. She has served in the Army National Guard since 2006.