Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) recently applauded the governor’s appointment of a new Director of the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Eric J. Hesse, who retired from the Army last week after more than 26 years of service highlighted by deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, received the nod. Hawley had written a pair of letters to the governor urging the vacancy to be filled since Deputy Director/Acting Director Bill Kraus stepped down on September 21, 2012.

“One of our most solemn duties as Americans is to honor and support our heroic veterans who risk their lives to protect our freedom,” said Hawley, a Veteran and member of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “As courageous men and women continue returning from overseas, it is crucial that we are ready to supply the treatment and attention our veterans need and make it clear that their sacrifice has not been forgotten. I wish Colonel Hesse the best of luck in his new role and look forward to working together to uphold New York’s obligation to its brave Veterans.”