I would like to take this opportunity to inform residents of a new service available for veterans. Hempstead Town has secured a State of New York veterans counselor, who will be available every Thursday and Friday at Hempstead Town Hall, to discuss veteran benefits and other veteran issues.

Counselor Nathan King of the New York State Division of Veteran's Affairs will be available for one-on-one interviews from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. All interviews are confidential.

The counselor's office is located under the "Veterans Information" sign on the ground floor lobby of Hempstead Town Hall. To schedule an appointment, please call Nathan King at 718-990-0348 Monday through Wednesday or 812-3506 on Thursdays and Fridays.

The Town is excited to have this opportunity available to our residents. Hempstead Town is home to approximately 40,000 veterans, ensuring that the new counseling services will be well utilized.

I encourage all of our residents to make an appointment to talk with Counselor King. It's important to make sure your personal information on file is current and that you are getting all the veteran benefits to which you are entitled.

In addition, I am pleased to announce a new flag drop box location in East Meadow. The box, located at Veterans Memorial Park (in front of the administration building on Prospect Avenue) in East Meadow, provides residents with the opportunity to discard their worn and tattered US flags respectfully. Veterans' organization leaders may inquire about obtaining a flag box by calling their Town councilmanic representative at 489-5000.