Angelo Santabarbara headshot

Assemblymember

Angelo Santabarbara

Assembly District 111

Assemblyman Santabarbara, Military Order of the Purple Heart Commander, AmVets Unveil Reserved Purple Heart Parking at Schenectady miSci Museum

Santabarbara also announces new bill to expand designated parking and say 'thank you’ to veterans across the state

April 15, 2016
photo
FROM LEFT: New York State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Mathew Tully, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, and miSci Executive Director Mac Sudduth take the podium Friday at the Schenectady museum to unveil a Purple Heart parking space designated for veterans injured in combat. Posting the colors in the background are members of AmVets Post 35 in Rotterdam.

photo
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara poses with Princetown Highway Superintendent Nicholas Maura Sr., a Korean War Purple Heart veteran, after unveiling a Purple Heart parking space designated for veterans injured in combat.

photo
FROM LEFT: New York State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Mathew Tully, Princetown Highway Superintendent and Korean War Purple Heart veteran Nicholas Maura Sr., Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, and Marion Grimes of the Electric City Detachment Marine Corps League, who also serves on miSci’s Board of Trustees, are pictured following Friday’s unveiling.

On Friday, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam, was joined by miSci Executive Director Mac Sudduth, New York State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Mathew Tully, AmVets Post 35 and local veterans to unveil a first-of-its-kind Purple Heart parking space in Schenectady County to recognize service members wounded in combat. Santabarbara, a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve and member of the state Assembly’s Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, also announced new legislation that would create Purple Heart parking designation across the state for the Purple Heart veterans who have served our country and returned home to live in New York. The event fell on Purple Up Day, which serves as a national invitation to show appreciation for military children by wearing purple as part of the Month of the Military Child observed in April. Guests were invited to wear purple to show their support and appreciation. “It’s important for all of us to show the men and women in uniform that their courage and sacrifice is appreciated not just on holidays, but every day,” Santabarbara said. “This is a small way to say ‘thank you’ and will serve as a reminder each and every day to our community to remember our veterans.” He added, “I want to personally thank miSci for stepping up to be the first to take action as the legislation is introduced by helping to create this parking spot as a model to follow. As a Blue Star museum, miSci already provides active military personnel with free admission between Memorial and Labor Day and is leading the way when it comes to honoring veterans from Schenectady, the Capital Region and across the state. Now, the veterans who visit the museum for its wonderful exhibits will have another reminder that their service to our country is appreciated.” Mac Sudduth, executive director of miSci, said, "We are excited to support Assemblyman Santabarbara’s initiatives for veterans, including the dedication of a reserved parking spot for veteran visitors here at miSci. This purple parking place now offers another way for us to extend appreciation to our nation’s servicemen and women.” Mathew Tully, New York State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, said, “Availability of these new parking spaces is not only an important way to show our appreciation for veterans who gave so much while serving our country; the designated parking can also provide needed relief for those who still suffer from injuries sustained in the armed forces.” Purple Heart parking signs are available free-of-charge to establishments through the Wounded Warriors Family Support organization and can be obtained online at their Web site.