Veterans from across New York City converged on the Intrepid Museum this month for a summit designed to connect them directly with employers, labor unions and benefits counselors who could help translate military service into civilian careers. The gathering brought elected officials, business leaders and community organizations together under one roof at Pier 86, offering a rare one-stop shop for the kind of resources veterans often struggle to find on their own.
Lawmakers Convene a Summit With a Mission
The event was convened by Assembly Members Landon Dais, Steve Stern and Kwani B. O'Pharrow, according to amNewYork. Dais, who represents the 77th Assembly District in the Bronx, said he was proud to bring labor, business and education leaders together to turn the promise of veteran support into real career pathways. Coverage of the gathering has differed on the exact date: amNewYork reported the summit took place on Oct. 14, while politicsny.com described it as scheduled for Oct. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum, located at Pier 86 on West 46th Street and 12th Avenue.
Stern, for his part, said veterans too often miss out on programs and unique career opportunities simply because they do not realize those resources exist. He added that building access to and visibility of vital veteran services is a responsibility lawmakers and institutions share. The summit's agenda reflected that goal directly, offering information on leadership and career development, pathways into skilled trades, and access to services for veterans and their families, the outlet's report noted.
Veterans Meet Employers and Benefits Counselors Face to Face
Beyond the panel discussions, the summit gave veterans and community partners the chance to meet directly with organizations offering employment assistance, benefits guidance and other resources, according to the same amNewYork account. That kind of direct connection matters: the NYC Department of Veterans' Services has said its mission centers on helping veterans find meaningful employment and opportunities to advance economically, per the city agency's website. On the federal side, the VA has highlighted apprenticeships and other training pathways that can help veterans land careers in skilled trades, manufacturing, the defense industrial base and maritime fields, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Intrepid Museum CEO Susan Marenoff-Zausner delivered opening remarks at the summit, saying the museum is committed to honoring the brave service of veterans both by sharing their stories and supporting their futures. The event's participant list included Gary LaBarbera, Rear Adm. John A. Okon, Kenneth Fisher, former U.S. Rep. Max Rose, Council Member Frank Morano and NYC Department of Veteran Affairs Commissioner Yesenia Mata, the report stated. Schneps Media served as a media sponsor of the summit.
Black and Brown Veterans' Struggles Take Center Stage
A separate account from the Amsterdam News described the gathering as the first Veterans Summit held to honor Black veterans, with state elected officials and advocates discussing pressing issues including suicide, poverty, homelessness, racial barriers to benefits, workforce development, union jobs and mental health resources. New York State estimates it has more than 600,000 veterans, the seventh-largest veteran population in the country, the outlet reported.
The discussion arrived against a sobering backdrop. The 2026 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report recorded 6,398 veteran suicide deaths in 2023, a slight dip from the year before, per the Amsterdam News. The same report found that 61% of veterans who died by suicide were not receiving VA health care benefits — a statistic that underscores why summit organizers emphasized connecting veterans to services they may not know are available.
More Honors Planned at the Museum This Fall
The Intrepid Museum is set to mark Veterans Day with its own annual ceremony on Nov. 11 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the Hangar Deck, according to the Intrepid Museum. That ceremony is expected to include a commemorative wreath-laying in the Hudson River honoring U.S. veterans and former Intrepid crew members. Museum admission remains free year-round for U.S. veterans and active and retired military personnel.
