Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and Carl LoFaro from the Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System announce that the Orange County Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalition will put out a table in the lodge during the Orange County fireworks show, Freedom Fest, on August 25, 2023, to hand out veteran crisis materials. 

The coalition has already placed over 27,000 suicide prevention materials in over 800 businesses and organizations located in and near Orange County, New York. The coalition hopes to reach even more people with their message at this year’s Freedom Fest. The coalition is also partnering with several other veteran groups and government agencies during Freedom Fest to pass out information on upcoming local veteran events, activities and benefits. The Coalition will have information on hand from the Veterans Administration, Mission 22, Hudson Valley Honor Flight, Clear Path For Veterans, Vet Center and others. The coalition also wishes to thank Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus for his assistance to the coalition during this past year. Orange County Clerk Kelly Eskew will also have applications for the Orange County Veterans Discount Program available at the information table. The Orange County Veterans Service Agency, administrated by Christian Farrell, will also have handouts about the services they provide to Orange County Veterans.  In addition, the District Attorney’s office will have booklets to pass out on preventing senior citizen fraud and materials on the opioid crisis, with a view towards preventing drug use and overdose by our young people.

The Orange County Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalition is trying to reach as many veterans and their families as possible with their suicide prevention message. Since Freedom Fest draws large crowds many of whom are veterans, this event is a great place to meet veterans who might not have seen the materials we have placed out in public already.

Representatives of the Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System, Clear Path For Vets, Vet Center and Orange County ADAs will be on site if anyone would like to discuss the information in our handouts or set up a future meeting to speak to a group live about suicide prevention. The coalition has already been to several veterans organizations and sportsmen’s clubs to speak about suicide prevention and are looking to speak to more interested groups in the future.

“I am proud of the work that the Orange County Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalition has done for Orange County veterans and their families and of the strong support that has been provided to the coalition by the citizens and businesses of Orange County” said Hoovler. “If you or your organization would like any veteran crisis materials or information about any of the other Veterans groups helping us in Orange County, please stop by our table. The coalition will be happy to assist you.”

You can also contact Carl LoFaro of the Hudson Valley VA Healthcare System at carl.lofaro@va.gov to get crisis materials sent to you or to set up a live meeting with your organization on this serious subject.

Freedom Fest, originally scheduled for July 22, was postponed because of wet grounds at the Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery.

The event has been rescheduled for Friday, August 25.
Freedom Fest will include a special salute to our veterans and will feature live music from the Black Dirt Bandits, as well as a variety of food trucks and vendors.