Through the support of the local community, the Orange County Chamber of Commerce and The Chosen Few Leathernecks Motorcycle Club, the Orange County New York Veterans Center [OCNYVC] officially celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, July 9. The date also marked the 9th anniversary of the motorcycle club.

The new veteran center building, located at 30 Lawrence Avenue in New Windsor, was where the Disabled American Veterans [DAV] organization operated out of previously. The Leathernecks were originally operating out of 251 Walsh Avenue in New Windsor. Today, the OCNYVC building is owned and run by Executive Director Lt. Col. Bob Anderson, OCNYVC Treasurer, former infantryman and current Leathernecks President Andrew Devlin and Ret. Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Small. Each of these veterans were former members of the United States Marine Corps [USMC]. The organization is also recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

According to Anderson, the facility came under the motorcycle club’s ownership following the departure of the DAV organization. Originally, the club was renting the facility but then were able to purchase the property. “We officially moved into this space in January of 2020 and at that time we first started it out as a motorcycle club,” Anderson said. “Our intention all along was we were going to expand but first we got in and we had to clean up the space, do some renovation before we could actually have anything in here. There was a lot of work that had to be done.”

It was then in March of 2020 that COVID came about and forced everything to close and stop. Even during the pandemic, renovations of the building were still a challenge. Many of the club members had to dig into their own personal funds and spoke to local businesses and contractors to see if they could offer additional support and resources while still operating safely. Heading into 2021, there was a little more activity with private events and renting out the space to the community.

During a speaking event with guest speaker Ret. USMC Lance Corporal William “Kyle” Carpenter was where the Leathernecks were able to connect with Heather Bell-Meyer, President and CEO of the OCCC. According to Devlin, Bell-Meyer comes from a USMC family and she was invited to visit the center. From there, the club and center gained the county support.

Speaking on the importance of being a support system for fellow veterans, Devlin shared that members of various branches and eras all gather together and talk amongst each other, offering support and guidance despite the challenges veterans face such as housing, suicide and mental health care.

“There’s too many veterans get lost in the system, or the system’s not even helping them. One of the best things you can have as a veteran, especially the combat veterans, is to have support and the only support they’re really gonna get is from another veteran,” Devlin said. “That’s what I believe.”

For Anderson, he shared that this center is a safe space where veterans can come and feel comfortable.

“We embrace all the branches. We embrace all the military veterans, doesn’t matter male or female, old or young, crippled or not,” Anderson said. “Our hearts open. Our arms are open and we’re there to listen to them.”

Currently OCNYVC hosts a support group called Living Sober every Wednesday at 9 a.m., host Marine Corp League meetings and invites all veterans and community members to take part in the comradery. Future events for the club include more community and private events such as dinner and breakfasts, veteran clinics and future participation in charity and town related events. Information can be found at orangecountyveteran.com. They can be contacted at orangecounty.ny.veteranscenter@gmail.com or via Facebook. orangecountyveteranscenter on facebook and at orangecounty.ny.veteranscenter@gmail.com.