“Every year on Memorial Day, we take time to remember the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. This year, as we remember all those who have served in the past, we also must remain focused on serving our veterans of the present and the future. Thanks to legislation passed by the City Council last November to create the largest municipal agency in the country focused on veterans, New York City now has a citywide Department of Veterans Services. This Department works every day to provide valuable services to the over 225,000 veterans living in our five boroughs. We can pay honor to all who have served by focusing on the needs of the veterans living in our community today. I wish all New Yorkers a happy Memorial Day.”