Congressman Pat Ryan Secures $1M For Veterans

PORT JERVIS – Congressman Pat Ryan brought the Port Jervis community together at VFW Post 161 for a celebratory luncheon to announce he has secured $1 million in federal funding for the Rumshock Veterans Foundation to build 10 homes for veterans. The event celebrated the Foundation’s work supporting and providing critical services for veterans and honored the service of veterans from across the Hudson Valley.

“No veteran should be without a home in the country they put their lives on the line to defend. I pushed relentlessly to get this project included in this year’s budget, and I couldn’t be more proud to have secured these funds for the Rumshock Veterans Village to address veteran homelessness in Orange County,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “This would not have been possible without the inspiring work of Bill Whetsel, Councilman Siegel’s vision, or the support of the Port Jervis community. The Rumshock Veterans Village is a shining example of what is possible when we come together to support our nation’s heroes.”

“As we move forward with this project, let us continue to work together, hand in hand, to honor the sacrifices of our veterans and ensure that they receive the care and support they deserve. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have served our country bravely and selflessly,” said Bill Whetsel, President and Founder of the Rumshock Veterans Foundation. “Thank you, Congressman Ryan, Stanley Siegel and the incredible community of Port Jervis, for your unwavering support, your dedication, and your belief in the power of community to create positive change.

“This is our opportunity in Port Jervis to give back to the homeless veterans for their service when our nation called on them. No Veteran should be without a place to call home,” said Port Jervis City Councilman Stan Siegel. “To quote Walt Disney, ‘All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.’”

“The Rumshock Veterans Village is a visionary and innovative housing project that will support our veterans in multiple ways and create the conditions for them to thrive,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “I was an early supporter of this project when I served in the State Senate, securing funding in 2020 for the purchase of the property, and I am so thrilled to see the project moving forward and grateful to Congressman Pat Ryan for securing $1 million to bring the Rumshock Veterans Village closer to reality.”

“I’m so grateful for the work that Congressman Ryan did in partnership with the Rumshock Veterans Foundation to secure the funding for this village. Any step we as representatives can take to ensure our veterans find safe, comfortable and affordable housing when they return home is a worthwhile effort, and I’m thrilled that Port Jervis’ veterans will now have access to further facilities that support them and their specific needs,” said Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C-Deerpark). “Thank you once again to Congressman Ryan, the Rumshock Veterans Foundation, and the City of Port Jervis for making this relief facility a reality.”

“Congressman Ryan continues to be the strongest voice for our veterans. This latest measure to help our unhoused vets, not only have a stable home, but also a solid foundation is nothing short of amazing,” said Thomas Bauer, Joseph P. Dwyer/Vet2Vet of Orange County Program Supervisor. “It is an honor to work beside him on his veteran advisory board.”

Congressman Ryan nominated the Rumshock Veterans Foundation for federal Community Project Funding and Ryan pushed to have the Veterans Village Project awarded $1,000,000.00. The Rumshock Veterans Village Project will build ten one bedroom, one bathroom houses for homeless veterans. Veterans will live in the home at a reduced cost, cutting down on housing instability and financial stressors and allowing the veterans to focus on training programs and skill development. The Village will allow the Foundation to better provide veterans with a range of valuable skills and experiences that will help them reintegrate into civilian life and pursue meaningful careers.

Ryan is the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in the U.S. House of Representatives and serves on the House Armed Services Committee. Congressman. Ryan, an Iraq War veteran, has fought to bring federal resources to Hudson Valley veterans, including bringing the Veterans Affairs Undersecretary of Health to Port Jervis to discuss Hudson Valley veterans’ needs. Ryan formed his Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee to bring Hudson Valley servicemember priorities to Washington, D.C. His first bill as Member of Congress was the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act to make home ownership more accessible for servicemembers and veterans.

Ryan introduced his Never Forgotten Korean War POW Act during his Veterans Week of Action when he mobilized his C.A.R.E.S. Van to assist veterans with VA benefits and other federal agencies right at Veterans Service Organizations across the Hudson Valley. Ryan cosponsors significant legislation to ensure that veterans receive the benefits they earned, including the:
* Restore Veterans’ Compensation Act
* VET CARE Act
* Major Richard Star Act
* GUARD VA Benefits Act
* Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act
* Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act
* Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act
* Veterans’ Entry to Apprenticeship Act
* VA Work-Study Improvement Act
* PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act
* Veteran Restitution and Justice Act
* Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act