A new community respite program for the state’s National Guard members will be hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce beginning in February.
Modeled after a similar chamber program held in 2002 for first responders of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, this year’s program will allow National Guard service members to visit Saratoga for a weekend getaway with their families. All participating service members were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan sometime within the last 10 years and many were severely wounded.
“We are excited to announce that over 160 soldiers, along with their families, will be visiting our county between Feb.1 and April 30 of next year,” said the Chamber’s Vice President of Member Services Denise Romeo. “So in total we are expecting over 350 people to participate.”
The program was announced on Monday, Dec. 12, at the Military Museum in Saratoga Springs. It is meant to provide National Guard members with an inexpensive vacation package to give back for their service. Fourteen hotels throughout the county have provided accommodations free of charge or at reduced rates.
The chamber is now seeking donations of gift cards and certificates from local restaurants and tourist attractions to be put into gift baskets. Each soldier will then be presented with a basket when they check in to their chosen hotel. The hope is that the majority of the trip will be free for those participating.
“In 2002, the community generously took care of the vast majority of expenses that the participating first responders may have faced when visiting here,” said Romeo. “We hope to give these soldiers who have given so much a similar experience.”
More than 200 soldiers participated in the first event. Because of its success and the 10-year anniversary of 9/11, the Chamber decided to hold the program again to thank the people involved.
“(That’s) when they found out it was the 375th anniversary of the National Guard,” said Col. James Pabis, a member of the National Guard and former board member of the Chamber of Commerce.
To find the service members, a website was put together by the Saratoga Convention Bureau, which listed the available rooms from participating hotels. Pabis then worked to get the word out to National Guard members throughout the state. In total, 156 families signed on, with limited space available for those still wishing to participate.
“From the Guard members, I’m sure I can speak for most of them when I wish all of [the local businesses participating] a heartfelt thank you,” said Pabis.
Portions of the program are still in the development stages.
In 2002, each first responder was partnered with a local host family. The family volunteered to meet the first responder at their hotel with the gift basket and acted as a point-of-contact throughout the trip. Romeo said she was unsure if they would ask for host families to volunteer this time around, despite the success.
U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson was unable to attend the event but a member of his staff went in his stead.
According to his District Director Steve Bulger, as a former Army paratrooper and combat officer, it was an honor for Gibson to recognize the Saratoga Chamber for all of its efforts on behalf of the first responders and National Guard service members.
“This is a team effort that exemplifies the best qualities of our people — respect, compassion, appreciation and charity,” read Bulger. “The Saratoga business community and Chamber doesn’t just pay lip service to these ideals, but rather are stepping up in a very real and meaningful way to bring these words to life in a manner which is both thoughtful and caring.”
Assemblyman James Tedisco, R-Glenville, said the new program is a step in the right direction toward thanking the state’s veterans for their service, but it also thanks those often forgotten, the family.
“You know, every second of every minute of every hour, their hearts are in their throats. They have to take on a lot of the responsibility when their loved one leaves and this is a way for us to get closer to thanking them as well,” he said.
Businesses wishing to donate items or services for the service members should contact the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce at 584-3255.
