Today, Assemblymember Monica P. Wallace (D-Lancaster) announced that she secured $25,000 in the fiscal year 2021-22 budget in order to fund badly needed repairs to the parking lot of the Lt. Col. Matt L. Urban VFW Post 7275, 3741 Walden Ave., Lancaster. The parking lot has fallen into severe disrepair, posing a safety hazard to VFW members and other visitors, and interfering with veteran socializations and other events held at the post. This funding will go toward milling the existing lot, pouring a new surface, and striping.

“The cost of these improvements shouldn’t fall solely on the organization’s veteran members, who have made incredible sacrifices to protect our nation and who deserve our utmost gratitude,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “I’m so very grateful for all that our veterans have done for our country and for all that the veterans at the Lt. Col. Matt L. Urban VFW Post continue to do for our community.It was my absolute honor to help give back by securing this funding to ensure the safety of everyone who uses this parking lot to support our veterans.”

“Assemblymember Wallace has been extremely supportive of our VFW Post and of veterans across Western New York,” said Jim Wier, commander of Lt. Col. Matt L. Urban VFW Post 7275. “This funding will allow us to make badly needed repairs to our parking lot and continue to offer services and events for Lancaster’s veterans community. We thank Assemblymember Wallace for securing this funding and for continuing to advocate for veterans.”

As a member of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Assemblymember Wallace has advocated for policies and resources to support Western New York’s veterans community. In the 2020-21 Fiscal Year budget, Wallace advocated for the restoration of over $4.5 million for the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support program and an additional $500,000 increase for this vital program that helps veterans connect with other veterans in their area and talk about their shared experiences. The Dwyer program has proven to be highly effective, helping countless veterans address service-related traumas and providing a supportive community. Additionally, Assemblymember Wallace successfully advocated for budget allocations of $500,000 for the New York State Defenders Association’s Veterans Defense Program and for $250,000 for SAGEVets, a program that helps ensure LGBT veterans receive the assistance and benefits that they are entitled to. She also previously secured $10,000 for Veterans One-stop Center of WNY to bring a Women Veterans Network to Western New York.

“Our service-members and veterans have risked all and made immense sacrifices to protect our freedoms,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “It’s our responsibility to provide the best support and services we can to help them thrive after their return to civilian life.”