Today, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) celebrated the start of his 11^th annual Patriot Trip, joining over 100 local veterans and family members as they departed for a four-day trip to Washington D.C. Hawley, who has served on the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee since 2006, established this yearly tradition in an effort to give back to our region’s heroes, offering attendees the chance to visit many of our nation’s most popular monuments, memorials and attractions.

“Each of us owes our local veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice to defend the values and freedoms we hold dear,” said Hawley. “I am so grateful to be able to share the unforgettable experience of visiting our nation’s capital with these brave men and women each year on our Patriot Trip, and look forward to continuing this tradition for many years to come.”