Giving Back to Veterans

Putnam County will be giving back to its honorably discharged veterans by “returning the FAVOR.”

The initiative introduced last Friday at a Carmel news conference by Putnam County Clerk Dennis Sant and by State Senator Vincent Leibell recognizes the service and sacrifices made by Putnam’s returning vets.

Sant told the news briefing: “Under the ‘Return the FAVOR (Find and Assist Vets of Record) discount program, eligible individuals will receive a picture ID card identifying them as an honorably discharged veteran. Participating county merchants will agree to honor the card by providing holders with a discount on purchases or services.”

While the program is not officially expected to start until later this spring, Brewster Village historian Denis Castelli, a veteran, attended the news conference and announced that several businesses in greater Brewster were already offering discounts to Putnam’s vets, including Bob’s Diner, Brewster Flower Garden, Brewster Shipping Center, Design-ASign, Dottie Maguire’s Celtic Imports, Pizza Place and Trattoria, and the Dining Car at Brewster Station.

Also attending the event was CPA Neal Sullivan of Mahopac, who offered to provide income tax returns for any vet free of charge this year in conjunction with the program.

Sant encouraged other merchants to get involved: “The program will be good for business, since it will attract new customers to local shops and stores. Putnam is in dire need of sales tax dollars, and ‘Return the FAVOR’ will act as an incentive.”

Sant called the program a “win-winwin. It’s a winner for merchants during a tight economy. The program is a winner for the county as well as being a winner for the veterans’ community.”

The program is currently in place in Rockland and Orange counties as well as Onondaga and Cayuga counties upstate.

Senator Leibell, ranking minority member of the Homeland Security and Veterans Committees in the NYS Legislature, was thrilled to be part of the announcement: “Vendors come in all sizes and shapes. Restaurants can offer a free appetizer or a second meal at half price. Real estate offices can offer a free home inspection while a retail store can provide a flat percentage discount of 10 percent or more.”

Leibell said fellow senators representing constituents in Rockland County told him that vets were receiving 10 percent discounts on their haircuts and taxicab rides in conjunction with the program.

Leibell and Sant plan to officially roll out the program on April 3 at the County Clerk’s office and the Carmel VFW Hall.

Leibell praised the program because “it will demonstrate our gratitude to the troops. The discount will also help to keep Putnam dollars in Putnam instead of going to Connecticut or Westchester. Our residents tend to be a loyal and patriotic bunch, and participants will find themselves patronized by people who want to support them for supporting our servicemen and servicewomen.”

Return the FAVOR placards will be placed on store windows advising the public which businesses are participating in the program.