Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica/Rome) announced that she and Sen. Joseph Griffo sent a letter to Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields Jr. urging the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) to expedite the process of awarding Silver Rose Certificates. This letter comes three years after legislation was signed into law to create the certificate that honors veterans who have suffered from the effects of tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange (Ch. 332 of 2018). However, the DMNA has yet to establish the certificate.

“This valuable legislation was signed into law to honor and recognize the sacrifices our service members have made for our country – risks and hardships that do not always end when they return to U.S. soil,” said Buttenschon. “To leave our veterans and their loved ones in the dark about when they will be awarded their certificates for their sacrifices after three years is unacceptable. That’s why my colleague Senator Griffo and I are calling on the DMNA to overcome whatever barriers exist to distributing Silver Rose Certificates and verifying service and medical records.”

Constituents have reached out to Buttenschon and Griffo about their disappointment that the certificate has not yet been established and awarded to eligible veterans. Responses received from the DMNA to date have not outlined a timeline to process and award certificates. The New York State Silver Rose Certificate was created to acknowledge the enormous sacrifices made by veterans exposed to toxic herbicides and raise awareness of its dangers.

“Veterans and military members should be honored for the significant sacrifices that they have made on our behalf,” Sen. Griffo said. “It is disappointing that the Division of Military and Naval Affairs has still not established the process to award Silver Rose Certificates despite legislation authorizing them do to so being signed into law three years ago. The Division of Military and Naval Affairs must accelerate its efforts so that we can provide additional recognition to those who have suffered from Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides.”

“Over 58,000 members of the American military lost their lives in Vietnam and over 150,000 were wounded in action. It is estimated that as of 2019 that more than 360,000 veterans have died from agent orange related diseases and that over 250,000 are currently living with some adverse health effect of agent exposure. As a disabled Army Chemical Corps veteran of both Vietnam and the Korean DMZ I am hopeful that New York State will recognize the sacrifices of those who have suffered, are suffering and will suffer in the future because of the use of agent orange and other defoliants,” said James Furgal.

The full text of the letter is below:

May 12, 2021

Major General Raymond F. Shields Jr.
Adjutant General
NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs
330 Old Niskayuna Road
Latham, NY 12110-3514

Dear Major General Shields:

We are writing regarding the New York State Silver Rose Certificate that was established by legislation in 2018 to honor the sacrifices of veterans who have suffered from the effects of tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange.

Recently, we have had concerned constituents reach out expressing their disappointment that this certificate has not yet been established and awarded to qualifying veterans. The response received from Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) staff states that the certificate was still being worked on and no timeline was provided despite the fact that the legislation creating the certificate was signed into law in 2018.

It is unacceptable that, close to three years after it was signed into law, the certificate has not yet been awarded to a single veteran exposed to tactical herbicides. While we understand that there are many fiscal and administrative burdens involved with printing and mailing the certificates, as well as confirming military service and reviewing documentation to verify medical diagnosis as a result of exposure to toxic herbicides while serving on duty, it is imperative that this certificate is established before New York loses more eligible veterans.

The New York State Silver Rose Certificate was created to acknowledge the enormous sacrifices made by veterans exposed to toxic herbicides and as a symbol of awareness of their dangers. It is critical that the DMNA prioritize and accelerate efforts to establish this certificate for which thousands of Vietnam-era veterans and their families have patiently waited.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,
Marianne Buttenschon
Member of Assembly
119th District

Joseph A. Griffo
State Senator
47^th District