How is the "Rockland Homes For Heroes" Construction Project Doing ?

Most residents of Rockland County know about “Camp Shanks”. The original property built in 1943 which exceeded more than 2000 acres. It was part of the world's largest Port of Embarkation. More than 1.3 million GIs from all over the United States spent up to 6 weeks at “Camp Shanks”, “Last Stop USA” to prepare for crossing the Atlantic Ocean to fight the nazi army. It was closed down in 1946 and began being dispersed.

When the last parcel was declared surplus many years later around 2009, it caught my attention.

The conditions for securing a lease of the last acres declared surplus were that the property could only be used to serve the homeless or a medical facility or an animal shelter.

I assembled a team which consisted of advocates with outstanding credentials. We created "Rockland Homes For Heroes Inc.", a NYS not-for-profit 501[c]3 charity with one mission/one purpose, provide homes for homeless Veterans. The Charity has 7 Directors, 3 of whom are Veterans, one is a Purple Heart Awardee. Two served overseas. It also includes a former Public Health Expert and a former Judge. We are all unsalaried volunteers. Their names are attached.

I petitioned the Federal Government to award us the Lease based on the fact that the property is hallowed historic military ground.

We were awarded a lease on 14 acres on Western Highway in the Hamlet of Tappan. In the passing years, we turned over half the property to Orangetown for environment purposes.

We applied to our Federal Government for funding for the construction of 8 permanent affordable supportive apartments strictly for honorably discharged homeless Veterans of every Branch of the Military, with no barriers of race, gender, religion, etc. and in 2013 we built 8 permanent, affordable, supported apartments. Lives were saved. Lives were turned around.

Our vision became a very successful reality.

Based on the success of the 8 homes, we decided to add 14 more homes on the site. We applied to our State Government and our Community for funding which we received. With that money and incredibly generous contributions, we are within 5 months of the completion of the construction and expect to open for business by September. We have even begun to create a”Wait List”. Our vision became a reality.

It took almost three years to secure sufficient funding, which has been diluted by the rising costs of building material, but we are just about to finish up and, with the blessings we have enjoyed, might be able avoid any indebtedness, but not likely.

It is impossible to name every reason or person or organization or business, etc. in or out of the government, which what or who made our dream come true again. To begin with, the people of Rockland proved their appreciation for our veterans with generous contributions that proved essential. See for yourself by visiting our Donor Wall on www.rocklandhomesforheroes.org.

When we are totally ready to welcome our future residents, I hope to publish the names of every Angel who made what will be 14 more homes for a once homeless veterans.

If you share my belief that war is the ugliest human made horror of humankind that murders and crushes the bodies and minds of mostly young people, its up to us to never forget the thousands and thousands who were killed or suffered a lifetime with broken bodies and mind as well as their parents, siblings, wives/husbands, children and fellow warriors, perhaps you might find it in your hearts to share our feelings.

This is my way of paying gratitude to every person who wore the uniform and reminding everyone of the hundreds of thousands killed or mutilated for America.

My fellow un paid volunteer Board of Director's members are Tom Micelli, John Manifold, Monica Toscano, Will Warren, Marty Wortendyke My home phone is 845-323-2329