Valhalla, NY – The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) proudly announced that the Valhalla American Legion Post 1038 has completed a major first-floor renovation funded through $75,000 from Governor Kathy Hochul’s Veterans’ Nonprofit Capital Program (VNCP), and other state grant funding. The improvements, celebrated at a grand opening event held Monday evening, were made possible in part through the VNCP, which supports critical infrastructure upgrades for Veterans’ organizations statewide.
PHOTO: Grand opening ceremony at Valhalla American Legion Post 1038. Pictured, front row, left to right, are Valhalla American Legion Post 1038 Commander John J. Creskey, Town of Mount Pleasant Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi, Westchester County Legislator Margaret Cunzio, New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky, and New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Viviana M. DeCohen. Pictured, back row, are Post 1038 Officers Philip T. Adimari, Robert R. Ruocco, Shannon M. Morrison, Ronald A. Milazzo, and Larry Martino. Also attending the ceremony were New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (not pictured), American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1038 President and Grant Writer Emmy Creskey, Sons of The American Legion Squadron 1038 Commander Jim Swaffar, along with several supporters and friends.
Administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) in partnership with DVS, the VNCP provides funding for architecture, design, engineering, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or expansion of eligible facilities, and purchase of eligible furnishings or equipment. Since its inception, the program has awarded $4.6 million to Veterans organizations statewide.
The Valhalla American Legion Post received two New York State Grants: a $75,000 VNCP funding grant for water control and remediation, and $149,000 in Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) grant funding for interior updates and sustainability work for the over $364,000 initiative. The Post contributed $140,097 toward the project.
At the celebration, DVS Commissioner Viviana M. DeCohen, and Post Commander John Creskey joined with local and state leaders to recognize the Post’s revitalized space and the partnership that made the transformation possible.
DVS Commissioner Viviana M. DeCohen said: “The Veterans’ Nonprofit Capital Program is about more than bricks and mortar; it is about investing in the spaces and places that Veterans call home. The Valhalla American Legion Post 1038 has served as a pillar of support for generations, and now, thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership and this and other critical state funding, the Post is stronger, safer, and more welcoming than ever. This project honors the service of our Veterans by ensuring their community remains vibrant and enduring.”
DVS Executive Deputy Commissioner Joel Evans said: “Our Department is deeply committed to strengthening every part of the holistic network that serves our Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. Infrastructure funding like this doesn’t just improve buildings, it sustains the mission of organizations that stand beside all who served. We are proud to celebrate Post 1038’s milestone as an example of the positive impact the VNCP delivers across New York State.”
Commander John Creskey, Valhalla American Legion Post 1038, said: “We are grateful to Governor Hochul, Commissioner DeCohen, DVS, DASNY, and New York State for making this grant funding possible, and to our members and partners who have stood with us throughout this journey. Our upgrades will continue us on a path to have a fully functioning Post home not only for us today but for Veterans of the future.”
About the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services:
The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services proudly serves New York’s Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families, connecting them with benefits, services, and support. All who served should contact the Department at 888-838-7697 or via its website – veterans.ny.gov – to meet in-person or virtually with an accredited Veterans Benefits Advisor to receive the benefits they have earned. Follow DVS on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky Social.
