Legendary Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk & wife Joanie did a zoom meeting for over an hour and a half discussing a variety of topics including depression, OCD, & PTS. The local Veterans who took part may not have played 300 NHL games, but could relate to Clint & Joanie on lots of levels.
Now it’s state law! Misrepresentation of having a service or emotional support animal is a criminal offense. Knowingly misidentifying a dog as a guide, service, therapy, or hearing dog could $100 and 15 days in jail. It should be noted that while the Americans with Disabilities Act only qualifies dogs, and miniature ponies as “service animals” on the ground, the Department of Transportation allows for a wider definition of the term “service animal” in the air.
As a service dog, Mike will assist a 21 year Coast Guard Veteran thanks to our donors. Veterans interview with WNY Heroes President / CEO Chris Kreiger about the requirements and expectations of the dog, its owner, and the training process. Training usually takes about a year with the Veteran attending weekly sessions with their dog.
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen has had the honor to meet some of our heroes, the Wilkins family. Mike Wilkins and his wife Jade really know how to pay it forward. Without volunteers like them, WNY Heroes simply couldn’t do what we do. Thanks!
Before volunteering with WNY Heroes, Rick Sepanski served in the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant all over the world. Rick has donated his time and effort at local events and now works part time as our bookkeeper. WNY Heroes simply couldn’t function as well as it does without reliable, selfless people like Rick.
It’s simple. Visit our office, say “Hello” to the staff, support local Heroes by purchasing some boxes of delicious crispy chocolate bars by Niagara Chocolate, and watch these double sized bars fly off your desk at work.
As long as there’s Veterans, there’ll be a need for assistance. Rent, mortgage, utilities, service dogs, kids programs and activities, peer-to-peer get-togethers, scholarships and more are provided at no charge to those who’ve served and their immediate, nuclear family members.
Why wasn’t the “D” included in this title? Let’s save the word “disorder” for something that isn’t a NORMAL reaction to an abnormal situation. As many already know, one of our most successful programs is Pawsitive for Heroes. It exists because there aren’t any governmental agencies out there providing these animals, arranging for training and paying for that training, for local combat Veterans with PTS in Western New York.
Staff Sergeant Casey Bukowski was 20 years old when his B-17 was shot down over Germany. He lost an eye and was captured. He survived an 82-day forced march while allied forces closed in on his German captures. Casey would also tell you he was lucky. Lucky because 6 of his fellow crew members didn’t survive to tell the tail. WNY Heroes keeps tabs on Casey during these isolating times. Casey knows we have his back and benefited from our recent visits and food distribution effort.
WNY Heroes is a big Bills backer and remembers the family of Ezra Castro, aka “Pancho Billa”. Pancho is pictured here with one of our Army Veterans and his service animal. This memory was made possible by the generosity of the dog’s sponsor, Seneca Creek Casino. Training typically takes a year with one of our three local trainers. The Veteran accompanies their dog once a week at various locations including nearby malls. It should be noted that these animals have more rights and protections under the law than emotional support, or therapy dogs.
Did you know the Defense Authorization Act of 2009 allows U.S. veterans to render the military hand-salute during the national anthem? Previously, hand-salutes were permitted during the raising, lowering, or the passing of the flag while wearing their organization’s headgear. Now that the guidelines have expanded, feel free to exercise your first amendment right while others do the same.
Author Karen Zale’s book can be found at www.Lulu.com and all proceeds go to WNYHeroes.
“In my opinion The Will to Survive should be mandatory reading for all High School students.”
-Rick Sepanski,
Senior Master Sergeant (Ret.) USAF
“As a 17-year-old reading this book, my mind couldn’t possibly grasp how I would have acted under such great pressure. My generation has had quite the opposite upbringing. We live in an era of instant gratification free from hardship. Men like John Zubrzycki who fought for our country exemplified tenacity. They never lost their sense of purpose.”
-James George,
Lancaster High Senior
Here’s what a recent recipient had to say about getting one of our William E. Kramp, Jr. scholarships: “I cannot thank you enough for your generosity…I will be able to walk across that stage and earn my Bachelors in Social Work in May 2019, knowing that there are organizations in the Western New York Community that will always have my six.” -Amanda
Navy Veteran Adam Hoopengardener recently enjoyed a Sabres game with WNY Heroes and visited with former first round pick and Sabres goalie Marty Biron. The Sabres beat the Vegas Golden Knights in the early season match up. It’s not often fans can walk into the arena in shorts and not freeze! A win all the way around.
The last Friday of each month gives Veterans from any branch from any era an opportunity to start the day off right. The inaugural meeting saw a great mix of about 13 female and male Vets gather at a local restaurant, some with service animals. All were well behaved, including the dogs! Those who didn’t know one another got better acquainted as the conversations, reminiscing, coffee, and even tea started flowing. Since its inception, the clubs attendance has continued to prove what a great idea this was.
Nov. 10 saw many local Veterans attend a Sabres game dedicated to them. Captain Jack got a chance to say “Hi” to one of our Army Veterans in the Pawsitive program, while former Captain Danny Gare visited with Army Master Sergeant Anthony Kuhn.
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On Sept. 22 American Legion Jesse Clipper Post 430 will honor us with their Community Veteran Service Award for exceptional service to veterans and active duty service members. Pvt. Jesse Clipper of the 317th Engineers, was from Buffalo, was wounded in France, and hospitalized for several weeks. Soon afterwards he was gassed and had two additional stays in the hospital. He died on February 21, 1919. The post helps us all remember the valiant service of all negroes in all wars.