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Sullivan County schedules veterans stand down for Sept. 27 at SUNY Sullivan; accessibility concerns raised
Summary
County veterans organizers said a centralized ‘stand down’ and festival will be held Sept. 27 at the SUNY Sullivan Field House. Committee members also reviewed Memorial Day flag distribution, local veterans events and a public comment raising accessibility problems at the college venue.
Sullivan County — Lauren Roman, speaking at a Sullivan County Veterans Committee meeting, said the county’s veterans stand down and festival is scheduled for Sept. 27 at the Field House at SUNY Sullivan and will run roughly 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Roman, who announced the event on behalf of committee organizers, said the county is seeking vendors that provide veterans services, health and wellness support, job training and employment resources, recreational activities, small-business opportunities, family support and tactical preparedness gear. “It’s going to be from 11 to 3 right now,” Roman said.
Why it matters: The committee said organizers moved the event to SUNY Sullivan to make it more centralized and accessible for county veterans, but a member of the public warned that parts of the college remain difficult to navigate for people with mobility impairments.
The meeting also included routine event and outreach reports from local posts. Committee members said several American Legion and VFW posts coordinated distribution of cemetery flags for Memorial Day, and organizers reported nearly 5,000 flags were prepared for placement across county cemeteries. Howie (commander, as referenced in the meeting) said the distribution involved multiple posts and thanked the Monticello Elks Club for hosting meetings and supporting local activities.
Matt Kliman, coordinator for the Vet2Vet program at ATI, described recurring veteran-centered programs and upcoming events. Kliman said Coffee and Camaraderie meets every Monday at ATI from 10 to 11 a.m. and that a veterans fishing event is planned for April 1 at Morningside Park, with breakfast, lunch and a prize for the biggest fish.
Public comment: A member of the public who identified accessibility barriers at the college urged the committee and college officials to address several obstacles for people who use wheelchairs. The commenter described an accessible entrance whose grade exceeds recommended limits, a stairwell that becomes the only route when the door opens and a gravel path that is difficult for wheelchairs to traverse into a pole barn at the fairgrounds. “As long as you’re talking about three elevators between the adult care center and here, and you are the owners of the real estate and the improvements there on, you should go for number four,” the commenter said, recommending installation of an elevator and other accessibility improvements.
Local clinic access: John Little, a Liberty resident and veteran, told the committee that Sullivan County’s mental health clinic accepts TRICARE through Humana without a VA referral and encouraged outreach to ensure veterans without counselors know the clinic’s open-access hours. County staff said the clinic has open access hours Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon and said they will share that information with veterans through social channels.
Meeting end: The committee adjourned following a motion by Terry and a second by Matt; the chair called for “All in favor,” and members responded “Aye.”
