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VETERANS SPORTSMENS ASSOCIATION
Veterans Serving Veterans
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Upcoming Events
Precision Rifle ShootSat, May 31Tommy Gun Warehouse
NRA LE HANDGUN/SHOTGUN INSTRUCTORMon, Jun 23Greeley
New York State Pistol Permit Safety CourseSat, Jul 12Veterans Sportsmens Association
Veterans Delaware River Kayaking TripSat, Jul 26Dingmans Ferry
2025 Whiskey, Bourbon and BBQSat, Sep 20TBD
New York State Pistol Permit Safety CourseSat, Oct 04Veterans Sportsmens Association
Precision Rifle ShootSat, Oct 18Tommy Gun Warehouse
Halloween SpiritsSun, Oct 19Hudson House Distillery - West Park NY
Veterans Day DinnerSat, Nov 08Whortlekill Rod & Gun Club
WAPPINGERS CREEK WATER DERBY 2025
2025 Wappingers Creek Water Derby Results
MISSING CANOE: Yesterday, 26 April the Veterans Sportsmens Association in partnership with Aquatic Explorers Scuba Club restarted the Wappingers Creek Water Derby. Everyone who attended had a great time.
Unfortunately, one of our Veterans owned canoes became stuck on some rocks half way down Rochdale Rapids and was not able to be retrieved.
#wappingerscreekwaterderby #canoe
This morning our members went to the base of the rapids and it was no longer visible. If anyone who lives, fishes, or walks along the Wappingers Creek downstream from Pleasant Valley sees a silver canoe stuck or floating, please contact the Veterans Sportsmens Association. Thanks!
#VeteransSportsmensAssociation #vsa #veterans #Aquaticexplorersscubaclub #missingcanoe #wappingerscreek
Congratulations to VSA Founding Member, and current VSA Board Member Scott Emslie for his recently successful election to the NRA Board of Directors. Good luck in your new role!!!
#veteranssportsmensassociation #VSA #NRA #NRABoard #NRABOARDOFDIRECTORS #nrainstructor #FriendsOfTheNRA
RANGE SAFETY OFFICER COURSE - APRIL 2025
WAPPINGERS CREEK SPRING CLEAN UP
5 APRIL 2025
The Veterans Sportsmens Association (VSA) has teamed up with the Aquatic Explorers Scuba Club (AESC) to bring back the annual spring Wappingers Creek Water Derby for 2025. This canoe and kayak racing event is scheduled for Saturday, 26 April 2025 in Pleasant Valley NY. The Wappingers Creek Water Derby was originally started in 1970 by WWII Submariner Veterans and ran continuously until 2019. The 2025 event will be the 50th running of this race, and we invite the Veterans and Military Members in the Hudson Valley to join us as we return this highly popular event to the Hudson Valley.
https://www.veteranssportsmensassociation.org/wappingerscreekwaterderby
#veteranssportsmensassociation #aquaticexplorersscubaclub #VSA #wappingerscreekwaterderby #veteransservingveterans #kayak #kayaking #canoeing #canoe #waterderby #submariner #NECKRA #NYMCRA #wappingerscreek #pleasantvalley #poughkeepsie
The 50th Running of the Wappingers Creek Water Derby
The Veterans Sportsmens Association is a proud sponsor of the ROCK FOR NICK Fundraising event for Marine Veteran and Dutchess County Deputy Sheriff Nicholas Gasparre. Nick passed away on the evening of Friday, November 15, 2024, after succumbing to cancer. All of the proceeds from this event will go to the Gasparre family. Thanks!
2025 VSA RAFFLE
1 LIBERTY 1911 CUSTOM
ONLY 200 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD at $20 Each
AND
1 REVOLUTION 1911 CUSTOM
ONLY 200 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD at $20 Each
BOTH 1911's Generously Donated by KAHR ARMS
SHOT SHOW 2025
SHOT SHOW 2025
RANGE DAY
VETERANS DAY DINNER AND TURKEY SHOOT
Whortlekill Rod & Gun Club - 9 November 2024
PRECISION RIFLE SHOOT
KAHR ARMS - 2 NOV 2024
HUSTLER 6
RIP Lemm and Bones. Your service and Your Sacrifice are not forgotten...
9 years ago, 6 heroes gave the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan. We honor their courage, their lives, and their legacy every day. Your memory lives on in our hearts forever.
#AlwaysRemembered #HonorTheFallen #LouiesLegacy #GoldStarFamily #Hustler6 #HeroesNeverDie #KeepBonesAlive
Veterans Restoration Quarters
During the last two weeks of October, the Veterans Sportsmens Association set up Emergency Relief Supply locations at our office in Pleasant Valley NY and at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant for the Veterans Restoration Center (VRQ) in Ashville NC that was destroyed by Hurricane Helene. Thanks to the generous donations made by Hudson Valley Residents and the employees of Holtec International, we were able to deliver our trailer of collected items directly to the Veterans at the VRQ. To learn more about the VRQ, and how you can support their mission, please click the link below. Thanks!
The VSA will be collecting emergency supplies such as clothing, boots, tents, sleeping bags, socks, hygiene items, hats, gloves, bug repellent, and backpacks to be delivered to homeless Veterans who were being housed at the Veterans Restoration Quarters in Ashville NC that was destroyed by hurricane Helene. Please drop off donated items at our office at 1335 Route 44 - Suite 1 in Pleasant Valley. All donated equipment will be delivered in person by members of the VSA via trucks and trailer to the Veterans Restoration Quarters in NC by approximately 19 October.
2024 FREEDOM FESTIVAL
KAHR ARMS - TOMMY GUN
WAREHOUSE - GREELEY PA
Wappingers Creek Water Derby - October 2024
Kayaking and Creek Clean Up
The Wappingers Creek Derby is a canoe and kayak race that takes place the last Saturday in April each spring from Pleasant Valley NY, passing through LaGrange, and ending in the Town of Poughkeepsie at Greenvale Park. This race ran for 49 consecutive years up until 2019. Tentatively scheduled to restart on 26 April 2025.
101.5 WPDH
"Great to have my friend and Air Force veteran Todd Dillon on the show this morning to talk about the amazing work the Veterans Sportsmens Association does to support our heroes all over the Hudson Valley. Keep up the good work Todd!"
Tune into WPDH 101.5FM each Wednesday at 8:45am for the latest veteran news, or listen from anywhere at www.wpdh.com!
— with Noel Todd Dillon at 101.5 WPDH.
Get to Know Us
HALLOWEEN SPIRITS
VETERANS FUNDRAISING PARTY
1980's Themed Costumes, Live Music, Food, Drinks, and Full Tours of the Hudson House
ALL FUNDS RAISED GO TO SUPPORT VETERANS OF THE HUDSON VALLEY
TICKETS GO ON SALE ON 1 OCTOBER
2024 WHISKEY BOURBON & BBQ
AMERICAN LEGION 1302 - POUGHKEEPSIE NY
SAME GREAT EVENT AND AT A NEW VENUE
2024 Whiskey, Bourbon & BBQ
21 September 2024 from 1300 – 1800 HRS
American Legion 1302
55 Overlook Road Poughkeepsie NY 12603
Featuring Local New York and Veteran Owned Distilleries. For 2024 We will also feature local Wineries, Mead, Cideries and Breweries.
Guests will receive free Whiskey and other adult beverage tastings, live music provided by the Brokedown and Rebuilt Band, and enjoy a BBQ provided by the Sons of the American Legion. All funds raised will be used to directly support Local Veterans.
FREE Admission for Active Duty Military Members including National Guard and Reserves with current US Military ID. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!
https://www.veteranssportsmensassociation.org/whiskeybourbonbbq2024
THE WOLF
HUDSON VALLEY'S NEW COUNTRY
The VSA is an Official Sponsor for the 2024 Weekend 4 Warriors
This years Warriors are:
Timothy Gilnack – US Army
Vincent Verderosa – US Navy
Gregory Liu – US Air Force
Ron Ymbras – US Army
Each of the 2024 Weekend 4 Warriors (W4W) participants will receive
VIP Tickets to the 2024 Whiskey Bourbon & BBQ hosted by the VSA
on Saturday 21 September 2024 at American Legion 1302 on Overlook Road in Poughkeepsie. Congratulations Warriors!!!
2024 RENEGADES STADIUM VETERANS APPRECIATION DAY
Wappingers Creek
Kayaking and Creek Clean Up with Aquatic Explorers Scuba Club - July 2024
NEWS
THE VETERANS SPORTSMENS ASSOCIATION (VSA) HAS TEAMED UP WITH THE AQUATIC EXPLORERS SCUBA CLUB (AESC) TO RESTART THE WAPPINGERS CREEK DERBY FOR 2025.
11 August 2024
The Wappingers Creek Derby is a canoe and kayak race that takes place the last Saturday in April each spring from Pleasant Valley NY, passing through LaGrange, and ending in the Town of Poughkeepsie at Greenvale Park. This race ran for 49 consecutive years up until 2019. Tentatively scheduled to restart on 26 April 2025.
NEWS
The VSA recently provided the Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course to the staff of a large nonprofit in Poughkeepsie. This training is provided for FREE to nonprofit organizations, schools and churches. Additionally, We received grant money in 2023 to cover training equipment for Force on Force, Active Shooter, and Response to Suicidal Subjects which we can also provide. If anyone is interested in hosting this training, please let us know. Special Thanks to Blue Star Mothers of the Hudson Valley.
NEW TEAM MEMBER
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (PIO)
MAJOR PATRICK CORDOVA (RET.)
Public Information Officer (PIO)
Patrick Cordova has been in Public Affairs since he graduated from the Defense Information School (DINFOS) in 2005. During his 24 years of service, he has participated in numerous domestic operations, from being amongst the first to deploy to New York City in response to the terror attacks on September 11, leading crisis communications efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island in 2017, and the Unified Command PAO at the Javits New York Medical Station during COVID-19 response efforts. In addition to his assignments in the United States, he has seen service in Europe and Southeast Asia.
In his civilian status, he works as a Public Affairs Specialist at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) in Fort Meade, Maryland. Before this role, he was the Chief of Communications for the Bronx VA Hospital, an Orange County Deputy Sheriff, a New York State Court Officer, a Sommelier, and a Whiskey Aficionado.
TRAINING NEWS
NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructor Development Schools
The Veterans Sportsmens Association will be hosting two NRA LE Instructor Development Schools in 2024 - 2025. These classes are restricted to A "sworn" law enforcement officer, A retired or previously employed "sworn" law enforcement officer, A licensed "armed" private security officer, A member of the United States Armed Forces, A full-time civilian firearm instructor who is employed by a public law enforcement agency, or A full-time civilian contractor.
28 October 2024 - 1 November 2024
This school increases the abilities and knowledge of law enforcement firearm instructors involved in teaching long-range scoped rifle programs. Classroom presentations cover long-range rifle marksmanship fundamentals, tactical rifle handling, rifle shooting positions, zeroing a scoped rifle, the tactical use of cover and concealment, conducting practical long-range rifle range training, ammunition and equipment, use of trajectory charts and rifle data books, range estimation, and reduced light training.
23 June 2025 - 27 June 2025
This school compresses the handgun instructor school to 3 days and adds 2 days of shotgun instructor training. Student classroom presentations, concealed-carry training, and unconventional shooting positions are replaced with shotgun marksmanship and handling classroom presentations and range work. Shotgun drills include firing from cover, use of kneeling and prone positions, moving targets, malfunction clearing, firing on the move, and transitioning to the handgun.
NEWS
THE VSA WELCOMES OUR FIRST WWII VETERAN AND OUR FIRST POW MEMBER
10 March 2024
The VSA Welcomes Our First WWII Veteran and Our First POW Member. THANK YOU so very much for Your Service and Your Sacrifice to this Great Nation! We are honored to have you.
Henry Hochlowski
DOB: September 1925
Place of Birth: Poughkeepsie, NY
Enlistment date: 3 December 1943
Discharge date: 3 December 1945
United States Army World War II
US Army. 65th Infantry Division
United States Army 26th Infantry Division
Prisoner of War: Germany
SHREDVETS
Hudson Valley ShredVets
Hudson Valley ShredVets is at Thunder Ridge Ski Area.
23 February 2024
Thunder Ridge in Patterson NY
What an amazing day with our brothers and sisters from Guardian Revival ! We had over 10, new beginner skiers and riders introduced to the sport!
We hope this becomes the first of many partnered events, getting both #Veterans and #FirstResponders out on the hill and enjoying the POWerful healing power of #SnowSports!
We would like to thank Thunder Ridge Ski Area for hosting us and providing us with quality instructors, and great spring skiing conditions!
Veterans Sportsmens Association
#VeteransSportsmensAssociation #SnowTherapy #RecreationalTherapy #ShredVets #GuardianRevival #GetOutside #NotAllWoundsAreVisable #PowderPower #PowerOfPowder #SpringSkiing #PowPowPowPow
KAHR ARMS
Greeley PA
NEWS
NEW YORK STATE PISTOL PERMIT
SAFETY COURSE
FY 2023
New York State 18 Hour Concealed Carry Firearms Safety Course. Attending this course will allow you to apply for a pistol permit in accordance with the NYS Pistol Law effective 1 September 2022. This is a 16 hour course, plus two hours of range time. You can also use this course to renew your NYS permit in jurisdictions that require the 18 Hour course for permit renewal.
This class will be conducted several times in 2023 at the Crum Elbow Sportsmens Association. The course fee of $275 includes firearms, ammunition, safety equipment, and the full two days of required classroom training as well as the required range qualifications. The VSA provides training to all areas of the Hudson Valley as well as Eastern PA. If any club or organization is interested in cohosting this course, please contact us for scheduling information
Click the link below to see the dates that this class will be offered.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY CERTIFICATION
3 March 2023
The Course Curriculum provided by the Veterans Sportsmens Association (VSA) for the mandatory 18 Hour Pistol Safety Course Pursuant to PL 400.00 (19) has been accepted for applicants requesting a NYS Pistol License in Westchester County by the Westchester County Dept. of Public Safety - Pistol License Unit.
SECOND AMENDMENT SUPPORTERS CAN DONATE TO THE VETERANS SPORTSMENS ASSOCIATION
We Are Veterans Serving Veterans
As a Federally Recognized 501c3 Organization, your donations to the VSA are tax deductible. If you would like to support our Veterans Nonprofit Organization you can contact us to make a donation by using the link below. Thank You!!!
STOCK DONATIONS
The VSA Now Accepts Donated Stocks
DONATING STOCK TO A CHARITY PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS TO BOTH PARTIES
If a supporter donates a stock that has increased in value, the donor will not have to pay capital gains tax in the future and the charity will not either. What’s more, the donation is tax-deductible if the donor itemizes their taxes. This will allow them to claim a tax deduction based on the value of the stock at the time of the transfer if they have owned the stock at least one year and one day
DONATING MADE EASY
If you are interested in donating stocks to our Veterans non profit, click on the link below and using the drop down menu choose Veterans Sportsmens Association.
The VSA uses Stock Donator which is one of the best ways for non profits to accept stock donations online. Stock Donator has been processing and accepting stock donations for thousands of non profits for over 10 years.
VETERANS SPORTSMENS ASSOCIATION
Veterans Serving Veterans
The Veterans Sportsmens Association (VSA) is composed of Veterans and Civilians alike who take pride in honoring All Veterans for their service and sacrifices.
The Veterans Sportsmens Association (VSA) is a Federally recognized 501c3 Non-profit Organization, and we are located in Poughkeepsie, New York.
VSA members are 100% nonpaid Volunteers. Absolutely all of the funds generated through fundraising and donations assist local Veterans, Guard, Reserve and Active duty military and their families. We provide Veteran sponsored shooting events, firearms training, and other outdoor activities within the Hudson Valley Region.
The VSA is a proud member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)
