Veterans denied in the Village of Lindenhurst

I would like to express my disappointment with the Village of Lindenhurst for being denied a veteran’s tax exemption. I spent six years of my life in the US Navy serving in the US Navy Submarine force. It appears to me that the village believes that my time spent in the military is some how not worthy of recognition or some how less deserving than those who served during direct conflict. The reason I was declined was stated as “Defined Period of War or Conflict (did not serve during defined periods of war or conflict)”.

I served from 1977 through 1983, a period known as the cold war. While serving in the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Force aboard SSBN-656 I made twelve three month patrols. My time at sea was just as dangerous as being on the ground during other conflicts. What I did and where I went is classified and will be for 80 years according to the stack of papers I had to sign upon leaving the military. What I can tell is that the US Submarine Force has traveled to every corner of the glob putting pressure on the Soviets, the Chinese, and today supports missions though out the world. General Colin L. Powell  said "But no one -- no one -- has done more to prevent conflict --- no one has made a greater sacrifice for the cause of Peace than you, America’s proud missile submarine family. You stand tall among all our heroes of the Cold War."  (the entire speech can be found here http://www.northofseveycorners.com/write/gpowell.htm) Powell was addressing US Navy submariners and the media at a ceremony for the 3000th SSBN Patrol at the U.S. Submarine Base, Kings Bay, Georgia.

I have lived and raised a family here in Lindenhurst for 30 years. I have never asked for a veteran’s exemption in that time because I never needed one. In the past few years my village, town, state, and federal taxes have become such a burden that I have had to take a second job just to meet my financial obligations. It is that tax burden that prompted me to ask for a veteran’s exemption and it is the veteran’s exemption denial that has me so very disappointed in my village.

As a military veteran I am proud of my service to my country. I would never ever say or insinuate to any military veteran that your service was better or less than another person’s service. Anyone who has made the sacrifice of military service to our country deserves the same respect regardless of when or where they served.

I am writing to the patch because I am curious if our community is even aware of the stance taken by our village. What are your thoughts?

Sincerely