“Walk-A-Mile In My Shoes” Kick-Off

KINGSTON – U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) joined representatives from the Hudson Valley Center for Veteran Reintegration, Vet2Vet of Ulster County, County Executive Pat Ryan, NYS Senator Jen Metzger, and members of the community at Tech City in Kingston to kick off the first Walk-A-Mile In My Shoes. At the event, Rep. Delgado delivered remarks on the value of veterans’ service and our nation’s promise to ease their transition to civilian life. Following the kick off, veterans and civilians will begin a more than 55-mile trek to Albany in support of veterans health and well-being programs. Their journey, which is expected to take 22 hours, will symbolize the 22 veterans who take their own lives every day.

“Our veterans and their families have sacrificed for our freedoms and American values, and we honor their service by ensuring they have the resources and treatment needed during these challenging times. I am proud to join the veterans community in Ulster County to kick off the first Walk-A-Mile In Their Shoes event where men and women, both veterans and civilians, will undertake an arduous trek from Kingston to Albany to raise awareness and support for veterans’ health and well-being programs that treat the myriad of challenges our veterans live with every day following their service,” said Rep. Delgado. “We must do the work to support our veterans and their families – I will keep fighting at the federal level to ensure veteran organizations in our community have the resources they need to continue for years to come.”

Rep. Delgado has worked closely with the Hudson Valley Center for Veteran Reintegration to support NY-19 veterans. Earlier this month, the Congressman joined the community grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Hudson Valley Center for Veteran Reintegration facility. Rep. Delgado also recognized HVCVR founder Kevin Keaveny as a NY-19 Hero during the COVID-19 pandemic and held a virtual discussion focused on the value of mental health support for veterans. Last November, Rep. Delgado hosted an in-district work week focused on supporting our veteran community including a panel discussion that featured Kevin Keaveny alongside elected officials, community leaders, veteran support organizations, and non-profits focused on easing veterans’ transition to civilian life.