Blog Post

Fleet Week in NYC
Posted by Anthony Pike on May 21 2012

On Thursday, May 10, I had the opportunity and honor to testify in front of the New York City Council Veterans’ Committee. I was there in behalf of IAVA about how the city should prepare for Fleet Week - which is taking place this year from May 23-30. Along with Terrance Holliday, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs, I provided recommendations to city leaders on how the city should best prepare to show NYC to the Fleet Week participants.

My testimony focused on making New York City open and accessible to the estimated 3,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who will be participating in Fleet Week 2012 - which happens to also be commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812. I encouraged the city to make MTA passes available to Fleet Week participants, encouraging local business, restaurants and museums to offer discounts and passes for admission and to allow participants access to the National 9/11 Memorial. I also asked that city leaders in business and education to share the opportunities that they have available.

During the Q & A portion, I shared with the council initiatives that IAVA is focusing on to help lower veterans unemployment. According to a poll of our membership earlier this year, IAVA members are facing unemployment at nearly 17%, more than twice as high as their civilian counterparts. Read my whole testimony here.

Click here for NYC Fleet Week and Memorial Day activities, as well as Memorial Day events that IAVA is participating in across the country.

To combat high unemployment levels, IAVA will be hosting four Smart Job Fairs with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The first one will be held in Chicago on June 6th, and future fairs will be held in New York City, Dallas, and Atlanta. Click here for more information and to sign up.

Get Involved

In just the last year, IAVA has connected hundreds of veterans with employers through innovative career fairs, helped over 10,000 veterans go to college on the New GI Bill, and provided mental health support to over 50,000 veterans—all at no cost to Member Veterans. Programs like these are only made possible through your generous support. Fight for those who fought for us and help us keep these resources and benefits completely free for new veterans and their families. DONATE >>

Not an IAVA member yet? What are you waiting for?! IAVA Member Veterans get access to exclusive career fairs, events and tickets. Join up today--membership is free and all you have to do is submit proof of OIF/OND/OEF status.