Nassau County helps veterans shop local

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Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell launched two new veteran services in the Veteran’s Recognition Program — helping them shop locally. 

The Nassau County presented the Veteran’s Recognition Program on Nov. 18 at 9 a.m. the Imperial Florist — a Baldwin based florist and member of the Chamber of Commerce, located on 776 Merrick Road in Baldwin. The program allows veterans to record their DD-214 or Veteran Discharge forms with the Nassau County clerk’s office, free of charge. 

“I am honored to have the opportunity to thank you for your service. Without our veterans, this country would not be what it is today,” said O’Connell.

After filing and receiving the forms, Nassau County veterans will be eligible to receive the Veteran’s Discount Photo ID card, which allows them to receive discounts at participating Nassau County based businesses. The program helps support Nassau County’s local economies, by allowing veterans to better participate in it, while promoting those local businesses. It also safeguards the vital documents, and demonstrates an appreciation for veterans and their dedicated service.

O’Connell said over 75,000 veterans reside in Nassau County, and thousands have returned from serving. She said the recording original Veteran Discharge Papers for free at the Clerks office makes them more accessible to veterans in the County.

O’Connell said when the forms are filed, a Veterans Recognition photo discount card will be issued to the veteran, along with a list of participating local businesses. Lists are available at the County Clerk’s Office and tinyurl.com/NBCmsmhk.

“I am pleased to have launched the Veterans Recognition Program,” said O’Connell. “This program offers veterans, who record their discharge papers in my office, discounts at various participating businesses in Nassau County.”

Honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces are entitled to record their discharge certificates and receive two certified copies at the clerk’s office for free. Additional certified copies of recorded discharges can be made for other veterans, or their immediate families, whenever needed.

According to the Nassau County clerk’s office, the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty forms are the most commonly recognized proof of service in the United States Armed Forces. New York State law provides a way for it to be recorded at the County Clerk’s office for safekeeping.

Once recorded at the Clerk’s office, a DD-214 form is available at any time — even if its owner subsequently loses the original document. A certified copy of a discharge certificate will be legally recognized as if it were the original.

The clerk can also issue a Veterans Peddler’s License, which allows honorably discharged veterans to hawk, peddle, vend, and sell goods, wares, or merchandise, or solicit trade upon the streets and highways within Nassau County.