New
York lawmakers are pushing for more funds for the Dwyer Peer Support Program,
which helps veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder adjust
to civilian life.
Lawmakers
say 20% of last year’s funding for the program is being withheld by the state
and another 20% of funding seems to be missing from the state's budget
through next year.
According
to the most recent statistics from the VA, the average number of veteran
suicides per day was 17.6 in 2018.
"When
the call came, they went – and when they are called home, we are honored and
duty-bound to care for them and make sure we don't have these
tragedies," says Rockland County Executive Ed Day.
The
Dwyer Peer Support Program helps veterans in 24 counties throughout New York
state.