Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson declared November 2024 as "Veterans Appreciation Month" and opened a kickoff event in the Bronx to honor veterans and military families.

The event featured remarks naming James Hinton, commissioner of the New York State Department of Veterans' Services, and local leaders including Kevin C. Meggitt, regional commander for the National Association for Black Veterans, and Donnie Smalls, acting executive director of Housing and Supportive Services in the Department of Veteran Services, who was listed among the honorees.

An unnamed speaker at the event urged outreach to bring veterans into services, saying, "I think that by casting a light on our community and by just saying with open arms, we appreciate you, we see you, we love you, it inevitably brings people into the light so they can say, okay. Let me come in and actually take advantage of the things that are being offered to me." The speaker listed city, state, federal, public, private and nonprofit programs as sources of support.

A representative of the National Association for Black Veterans described the organization as "a national organization chartered by Congress" that assists veterans with claims and also provides services including food assistance, housing help, job-development support and advocacy. An honoree and veteran said the recognition felt "amazing," noting their community work and role as a voice for other veterans.

Reporting for BronxNet: Kyrie Moody.