In recognition of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, celebrated on Wednesday, March 29, Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) co-sponsored a day of events for Vietnam War-era veterans that traveled to Albany from around the state. Slater sponsored a meet-and-greet “thank you” lunch followed by a tour of the State Capitol and a formal introduction on the Assembly Floor. The veterans from the 94th District were: James Mecca, Angelo Arena, Anthony Casale and Thomas Wirth. Wayne Jackson, the Assembly’s sergeant-at-arms and a veteran, also attended the event.

“These brave men, and all those who served in Vietnam, answered our nation’s call with without hesitation. Our country owes them more than the lackluster welcome many received when returning home from combat,” Slater said. “These are our nation’s heroes. Many were drafted right out of high school and sent halfway around the world to defeat communism and evil. Their sacrifices should be honored at the highest level, and we are forever indebted to their service.”

"It was an honor to share this day with some of our local Vietnam veterans. On the ride home, one of our vets, Angelo, expressed how proud he felt to have served our country and reflected on how that was not the case when they first came home from Vietnam. Angelo was very grateful to Assemblyman Slater and his team for the invitation to the Capitol, and for how he was treated on the Assembly Floor. I was deeply touched to be thanked by our veterans for driving them up to this celebration when it is us who owe them gratitude for fighting for our freedoms and what America is today," said Ed Lachterman, Deputy Superintendent of the Town of Yorktown.