Greg Ball Op-Ed: Local Veteran In Need

PUTNAM COUNTY, N.Y. -- Last year I announced that my office would be teaming up with the Purple Heart Homes organization to completely remodel the home for a service-connected disabled veteran in our area. In June, we found a Vietnam veteran from Pawling, Pvt. Dan Flanigan, who lived in a 100-year-old home that was in dire need of repair. Dan inherited his parents' home in 1999. Like many service-connected disabled veterans, Dan lives on a fixed income and hasn’t been able to maintain the home over the years. Before we started the work on his home, Dan didn’t have a working shower and was forced to shower each morning at the local gym. I am very excited to announce that thanks to the immense community support, we have made significant progress on Pvt. Flanigan’s home and we are slated for an early fall ribbon-cutting! However, we are running extremely low on funds and need to raise money to finish this project to give Dan Flanigan the home he deserves. I have worked with Purple Heart Homes, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro and Dutchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson to organize a barbecue dinner in honor of Pvt. Dan Flanigan. The event will be hosted on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5-7 p.m. at the Pawling Firehouse on South Street. Tickets are $20 per ticket at the door. Please RSVP by visiting: http://bit.ly/1lmcfiC or by calling 845-279-3773. We need your help to continue this project to give Dan Flanigan the proper “welcome home” he so rightfully deserves. Local businesses and partners that have helped with this project include: Whispering Pines Gardening Center; Jay Hildebrandt Electric; Kevin Schick of McGrath & Co.; Mike McCormack of Liscum McCormack Van Voorhis LLP; Ken Ford of New York Title; Daniel Marxer of Chazen Cos.; James Schmitt of Schmitt Bros. Excavation; Judy Fitzgerald; Lloyd St. Louis of Boneyard Cruisers of Hudson Valley; Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters Local 279; Mark Franzoso of Franzoso Contracting; Camille Parisi of Adirondack Hops; Dan Maguire of Nuisance Wildlife & Timberline Tree; Peter Wilcox of PepsiCo; Gino Capicotto of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society; McGrath's Tavern; Gerry Klein of Mahopac National Bank; Mitch Klein of Krasdale Foods; Brewster Hills General Store; Hannaford of Pawling; Kobacker’s Market; McKinney & Doyle; Shoprite of Carmel; Christopher Page of Army Week; Maj. Robert Ramos; Joe Krulder of Drexel Hamilton; My Brother Vinny Community Organization; George Apap Painting; Jilco Windows; GAF Roofing; Page Lumber; Dave Zublin of Old Time Barns; Lina Fierro; Steve Saba; Anthony Quatrone of Wood Stone Contracting; Brian Gallagher; Bob Nunziato; Rollo Podilla; Judy Fitzgerald; Minutemen; Bell Heating & Cooling; Jim Corless; Steve Adams; Echo Electric; John Biddle; Local 235 Labors Union; Anthony Farese; Clancy Moving; Karl Fister from the village of Pawling Buliding Department; Chip Mullins; Rich Taylor; Kevin Andros; Rhino Linings; Team Depot from Brewster Home Depot; and many more. Sen. Greg Ball represents the 40th Senate District and is the chairman of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee.