Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, C, I – Batavia) would like to announce his second annual Patriot Trip for veterans to tour Washington, D.C. This special trip is scheduled for September 24 through 27, 2009 and is being jointly hosted by Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26).

“Last year’s trip was a very special and memorable trip for me on many levels: as a representative, as a veteran and as the son of a veteran. I was thrilled to be able to share the experience with so many veterans from our region and am even more excited for this year’s expanded trip. I would like to thank Congressman Lee for his support and assistance in the planning of this trip,” said Hawley, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“Any time our veterans take the opportunity to visit our nation’s capital, it’s an important event,” said Congressman Lee. “It’s not uncommon to see vets at our war memorials surrounded by grateful tourists and fellow citizens. I hope all local veterans will seek to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Assemblyman Hawley continues to do great work on behalf of our local veterans, and I look forward to working with him to ensure this trip is a success.”

The trip, dubbed Patriot Trip II, will include roundtrip private coach transportation from Western New York to Washington, D.C. and accommodations at the Crossroads Hotel on Quantico Marine Base.

While many veterans were sent a mailer with the trip’s original dates, due to military personnel commitments at the hotel, the trip’s dates have been changed to September 24 through 27, 2009. Assemblyman Hawley would like to encourage all veterans within the 139th Assembly District who did not receive the mailing to call his office in order to sign up to be put on the mailing list.

The trip also includes tours of the Nation’s Capitol and Arlington Cemetery, as well as visits to a number of monuments and memorials, including World War II, Korean, Vietnam, FDR, Jefferson and Iwo Jima, among other tours and visits. Additionally, the trip includes admission to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, the Smithsonian Museum and Quantico Marine Military Museum.

For more information about the trip and its details, pricing, or to sign-up for the trip or mailing list, please call Assemblyman Hawley’s District Office at (585) 589-5780.

EDITORS’ NOTE: Any media wishing to join the trip are welcome. Please call Assemblyman Hawley’s office for information.