Every year, on Memorial Day, we honor those who served our nation and gave their lives to protect it. As a symbol of freedom around the globe, New York City will always stand up and salute those who defend our nation and our values.
We are home to over 210,000 veterans and as a city that was attacked by foreign enemies on 9/11, we bear a special responsibility to not only honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, but to support those who returned home. No veteran or military family should have to do it on their own.
This week, we kicked off “Veterans and Service Members’ Week” — coinciding with national Military Appreciation Month — by announcing a series of strategic initiatives to help New York City veterans access job opportunities, affordable housing, and homeownership.
First, we renewed our call to pass the Cold War Veterans Property Tax, which would bring property tax relief to veterans who served honorably during periods of peacetime. New York City remains the only major tax jurisdiction in New York state to not have adopted this veteran property tax exemption, and we are fighting to right this wrong. This is tax relief that 11,000 eligible Cold War-era veteran homeowners need now and would put $938 back into their pockets.
Second, we are ensuring that veterans and their families can own a home. We know that there is nothing like having a key to a place you can call your own. A home is more than just four walls and a roof, it is a place to unlock the American Dream and build a life. Through a partnership with the Hebrew Loan Society and the State of New York Mortgage Agency, we are expanding interest free loans to provide access to affordable homes to our veterans.
We are also simplifying housing access for our veterans with disabilities. We are removing layers of bureaucracy and red tape and streamlining the NYC Housing Connect application process to make it easier to access housing. Under the revised policy, veterans applying for affordable housing through NYC Housing Connect can now have their disability status certified directly by a supervisor at either the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Our veterans with combat wounds deserve access to affordable housing and we are giving it to them.
Finally, we are making it easier for our veterans to get good-paying jobs and careers that support their families. Since January 2025, our administration has provided direct and personalized support to nearly 100 veterans navigating complex transitions, including many impacted by federal workforce reductions. A veterans’ uniform shouldn’t disqualify them from a career, and through one-on-one support, job matching, and skills translation, we are providing them with a pathway to the jobs they deserve.
To support programs like these, and as part of our “Best Budget Ever,” we are adding over $1 million dollars to the Department of Veterans’ Services to provide a stronger safety net for our veterans and their families.
This week, we also unveiled the working design concept for New York City’s post-9/11 fallen servicemember memorial — “Flames of Honor” — the first memorial to pay tribute to post-9/11 servicemembers in a major city. It will be a sacred space for memory, mourning, education, and quiet reflection along the water’s edge in Whitestone, Queens. Queens is home to the largest number of post-9/11 servicemembers who were killed in action, and this memorial will honor their sacrifice.
Finally, we are pleased to announce that next year, for the first time in more than a generation, we are going to honor our post-9/11 combat veterans and their families with a ticker tape parade on the streets of the greatest city in the world. On July 6, 2026, the ‘Homecoming of Heroes’ parade will give our veterans the homecoming they never received, and the celebration they have always deserved.
Our city and our nation have endured because of those who gave their last measure of devotion defending the American Dream. It is because of these brave men and women that we can cherish the most precious gift we have: our freedom. We must do all we can to honor these patriots and support those who returned home. This Memorial Day weekend, we say thank you to our veterans, servicemembers, and military families. Today, and always, New York City has your back.
Adams is the mayor of New York City and Hendon is the commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services and a U.S. Army veteran.
