New York GWOT Veterans Recognition Campaign
Honoring 20+ years of service and the 25th anniversary of 9/11
Why We’re Launching This Now
Many states have memorialized the 20+ years of their GWOT military heroes. Now it is time for New York to step up to recognize and honor our GWOT Veterans and their families.
With the upcoming 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Friends of the New York State Military Museum Board of Trustees has established the New York GWOT Veteran Recognition Campaign Committee. Its mission is to raise the funds and establish the partnerships needed to honor New Yorkers who have served and educate future generations across our great state.
Concept Rendering: “New Millennium, New Challenges” Exhibit
In the Field
GWOT Deployments.
What We’re Building
Five integrated initiatives to honor, preserve, and educate:
Permanent GWOT Exhibit (NY Military Museum)
A museum-quality exhibit recognizing New Yorkers and their families who served in the GWOT. Target unveiling: September 2026.
Transportable GWOT Exhibit
A professionally designed traveling installation that can appear statewide—ceremonies, community events, schools, and veterans’ programs.
New York GWOT Veterans Memorial
A solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to all who served with honor across more than twenty years of deployments.
Statewide Oral History Program
Volunteer interview teams capturing first-person stories of service to preserve, understand, and teach selfless service and sacrifice.
Statewide Lecture Series
Public talks that illuminate the post-9/11 era—diplomatic, financial, and military actions taken to counter terrorism—integrated with the traveling exhibit.
Timeline
Campaign Progress Updates
A monthly record of planning, outreach, fundraising, and exhibit development.
September 2025
GWOT Committee is formed Sep 2025. First meeting Sep 17th.
Facts/statistics and definitions clarified regarding GWOT.
Determined number of NY GWOT Veterans KIA.
Website update is priority. Separate GWOT pages to be developed on The Friends website.
October 2025
Website updated with separate GWOT content.
Discussions lead to the 5 initiatives to be pursued. Museum Exhibit priority one. NY GWOT Veterans memorial, transportable GWOT exhibit, Statewide Oral History program, Speakers program for GWOT. Website updated accordingly.
Dec NY GWOT Recognition campaign event planned.
November 2025
Museum exhibit cost and payment timeline established.
Outreach to Veterans Services Organizations accomplished. VFW, American Legion, MOAA, IAVA, Jewish War Veterans. All to attend Dec 6 event. Dec 6 Invite list completed.
December 2025
Dec 6 Launch event conducted at NYS museum. TAG presentation on new addition. Friends President Report. GWOT Committee brief. Present; County and City officials, numerous Military Associations including VSO’s.
$22K donated to GWOT account.
January 2026
Articles regarding NY GWOT Veterans Recognition campaign sent to VSO’ for publication in their Newsletters.
Committee recommends to excom High Rock Park as possible location for NY GWOT Veterans Memorial.
Vendors contacted for Memorial design.
Contract for phase 1 of Museum Exhibit received. Board to vote on expenditure of $24K to pay for phase 1.
February 2026
Saratoga based LA Group contacted for memorial design and development. Meetings conducted.
Initial payment of $24K for phase 1 of museum exhibit approved by Friends BOT.
Print materials for GWOT Campaign discussed and will begin asap.
March 2026
LA Group design for memorial reviewed and discussed. Front of museum recommended as possible location for memorial ILO High Rock Park. DMNA contacted for their consideration.
Payment of $24K sent to St John Design Group.
Work on Museum exhibit to begin soon.
April 2026
Received $2,100.00 in donations.
Chairman Joe Taluto accepted speaking engagement at CBA JROTC graduation and received a $1,000.00 donation to the GWOT campaign. He will also serve as keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the VFW State Convention on June 11, 2026.
Met with LA Group at the museum to discuss a possible memorial site in front of the museum. The discussion resulted in a longer strategic vision for what the Friends may recommend to DMNA for the front of the building. The President and EXCOM will take up discussion for updating the Friends’ strategic plan.
A review of the GWOT exhibit was conducted to ensure inclusion of all services, family programs, Medal of Honor recipients, and Gold Star families.
May 2026
Grant requests were submitted to the William Gundry Broughton Foundation and the Seymour Fox Foundation. We remain optimistic that funding support from both charitable foundations will be received by the end of June.
The Friends coordinated with the NYNG Family Readiness Council, a nonprofit organization that has supported GWOT veterans and their families for more than 20 years. As the Council begins dissolution operations, it plans to donate approximately $27,000 to the Friends GWOT Campaign.
Reviewed updated drawings for the GWOT exhibit and adjusted the completion budget. To date, $24,000 has been paid toward the exhibit, with an additional $64,000 anticipated for final completion. The projected completion date is September 1, 2026.
Major General (Ret.) John C. Andonie, now serving on the GWOT Committee, has taken the lead on the development of a mobile GWOT exhibit.
In coordination with Museum Director Richard Goldenberg, planning is underway for the GWOT exhibit opening events during the week of October 4, 2026. October 7 marks the anniversary of the beginning of GWOT combat operations in Afghanistan. Vice President JoAnn Swapp is serving as the lead committee member for this initiative.
President O’Rourke, Director Goldenberg, and Chairman Taluto met with Saratoga Springs city officials to discuss potential locations for a GWOT memorial. Positive momentum continues for a landscape memorial at High Rock Park that would also recognize 9/11 first responders. Additional details are expected to be shared at the next Board meeting.
Campaign Resource
Download the GWOT Campaign Brochure
View or download a printable trifold overview of the New York GWOT Veterans Recognition Campaign, including the exhibit vision, campaign timeline, committee leadership, and ways to support the project.
This brochure can be shared with donors, veterans organizations, community partners, and anyone interested in helping preserve the service and sacrifice of New York’s post-9/11 veterans.
How to Support
Donate: Your tax-deductible gift fuels the exhibit build, the traveling display, oral histories, statewide lectures, and permanent NY veterans memorial.
Friends of the NYS Military Museum is a 501(c)(3); contributions are charitable to the extent allowed by law.
Become a Campaign Partner
Add your name or organization to a growing coalition supporting this work. Recognition opportunities are available across the exhibit, traveling display, and programs.
Supporting Organizations
We are grateful for the leadership and partnership of veterans service organizations and community groups across New York State.
Campaign Committee
The New York GWOT Veterans Recognition Campaign Committee leads fundraising, partnerships, and statewide outreach.
- Chair: Major General (Ret.) Joseph J. Taluto
- Vice Chair: Lieutenant Commander (Ret.) JoAnn Swapp, MS
- Members: Major General (Ret.) John Andonie, Chris Carola, Erica Deschamps, Paul Fanning, Alex Grayson, Hon. Timothy Holmes, Adam Mason, Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) John Willsey
Meet our Board of Trustees & Executive Bios
Contact
For inquiries and partnerships: