Islip moves closer to $500,000 to upgrade veterans quarters

The ceiling leaks, the handicap ramp is falling apart, and just two weeks ago, a tree toppled onto the roof.

Tuesday, Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) stood by dilapidated VFW Post 8357 in Bay Shore and announced $500,000 in a new federal funding initiative that would renovate the building, plus 11 other veterans facilities in the Town of Islip.

The funding was approved last week by the House of Representatives and is awaiting passage by the Senate.

The 12 facilities had leaky or structurally damaged roofs, poor insulation, inadequate handicapped accessibility, and were in general disrepair, said Orla LoPiccolo, assistant professor in the Department of Architecture & Construction Management at Farmingdale State College. Forty students from her Construction and Design course spent four weeks in the spring of 2009 at the facilities, completing drawings and energy audits. Their work would be used in the renovation process.

"These facilities have been neglected over the years and allowed to deteriorate," said Islip Councilman Gene Parrington, a Vietnam War veteran who established Islip's Veterans Service Organization.

The renovations would increase structural safety, accessibility and energy efficiency. Work is slated to begin early next year, Israel said.

Besides serving as gathering places for local veterans, some facilities provide temporary shelter and assistance for homeless veterans. According to a 2008 survey by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 1,023 homeless veterans in Nassau County, 1,261 in Suffolk, and 131,000 nationwide.

Flanked by local veterans, Israel stressed the importance of renovation, not only for veterans currently using the posts, but for those who will return from Iraq and Afghanistan. "We are going to improve this post and take care of those heroes that congregate here, so they have not only a country to come home to but a fit post," he said.

"If we can get this place looking more attractive, then hopefully we can get some younger vets coming in," said Willie Moore, 75, a Korean War veteran and Commander of Post 8357. "This post was here for me when I returned from Korea . . . I want it to be here for them.

"I'm so proud we're getting this money," said Moore, pointing to a wall lined with photos of veterans. "We all worked so hard for it."