At last week's general session, the Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) that would give veterans a discount to county parks.

The resolution provides vets the same discount already given to senior citizens. While not applicable to golfing fees, Cooper's resolution does provide for a wide variety of cost reductions, including:

Along with proof of county residency, vets will also need to provide a copy of their discharge papers (DD Form 214). Vets can obtain a copy of these papers by calling Suffolk County's Veterans Services Agency at (631) 853-VETS (8387).

There are currently 14 major county parks, totaling over 47,000 acres. Of those parks, 11 charge admission. They include:

"Our veterans have sacrificed and put their lives on the line defending our freedoms, and they are deserving of this fee discount," says County Executive Steve Levy, who will sign the measure.

According to Tom Ronayne, director of the Veterans Services Agency, almost 120,000 vets call Suffolk their home, far more than any other county in the state. Ronayne's office will play a critical role in helping get the word out to veterans about the new discounts.

Currently, veterans who sustained a disability while in the armed forces are able to use county parks completely free of charge. While the Department of Defense won't release figures on how many active duty armed service members are from Suffolk, the free pass is also extended to their family members. Veterans, and veterans advocates, are thrilled about Cooper's discount because it will reach so many more service members than the county's current program.

"I think this is a great thing that Legislator Cooper is providing for the veterans," says Jim Mahoney of American Legion Post #694 in Northport. "The contributions that veterans have made are now being returned to them by the county."

In addition to this discount, Cooper recently introduced legislation that would exempt veterans and active duty military personnel seeking county jobs from having to pay civil service examination fees.

"These brave men and women were willing to risk their lives for a 'way of life' most of us forget to appreciate," says Cooper. "This is just a small way of saying we here in Suffolk County are grateful for their service. We want them to be able to enjoy that which they protected and defended."