County Executive Mike Hein and County Clerk Nina Postupack announce new program

Ulster County Executive Mike Hein and Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack in conjunction with Veterans’ Service Agency Director Terry Breitenstein announced today, the new "Return the F.A.V.O.R." Discount Program. Return the F.A.V.O.R. (Find & Assist Veterans of Record) will give honorably discharged veterans the opportunity to apply for a County-issued I.D. card which will allow them to obtain discounts on goods and services at local participating businesses.

"I am honored to offer this program to some of the most courageous and honorable citizens our County has to offer," said County Executive Mike Hein. "This new program is the least that we can do to support the many Ulster County veterans who have greatly sacrificed in the defense our nation’s freedom. We also wish to thank the business community for all of their continued support of veterans."

"We encourage veterans to participate in the program," says Ulster County Clerk, Nina Postupack, "It is our way of showing that we care and saying thank you for all that you have done for us."

Director of the Ulster County Veterans Service Agency Terry Breitenstein said, "This program is designed to bring about a community benefit for our area veterans. We continue to look for other new ideas and programs, which will bring further assistance and opportunities to our County Veterans and their families."

"The many military veterans of Ulster County are grateful to all those who been involved in making the Veteran Discount Program for veterans a reality: the businesses who are signing up, the County Executive, the County Clerk, the Ulster County Veteran’s Service Agency, and the many Veteran’s organizations and individual veterans who have requested this program. This program will be a win-win situation for the veterans and the vendors, not only in terms of the economic opportunities it affords, but also the good will that will be established," said Earl Morey, a Vietnam Era Veteran.

Veterans who wish to apply for this program should visit the Veterans’ Service Agency located at 308 Flatbush Avenue in Kingston anytime on or after October 18, 2010. They will need to present their DD-214 discharge papers in order to qualify. Once the proper

documentation has been verified, they will go to the County Clerk’s Office at 244 Fair Street, Kingston, on or after November 8, 2010 to have their picture taken and receive their discount card.

Any Ulster County merchant who would like to show support and appreciation for our veterans by becoming a participating business should contact the County Clerk’s Office at 845-340-3040 or visit the County’s website at ulstercountyny.gov.

For further information about this program please contact Ulster County Executive Michael P. Hein or County Clerk Nina Postupack at 845-340-3040 or Veterans’ Service Agency Director Terry Breitenstein at 845-340-3190.

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