CAZENOVIA — On Sept. 26, The Maples of Madison County and the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) will co-sponsor an appreciation picnic for Central New York wounded warriors, first responders, veterans, and their families.
Held at The Maples historic farmstead (2412 Hwy 20, Cazenovia), the event will feature free food, drinks, live music, games, and entertainment for the kids.
Retired Lieutenant General Michael Basla, who owns the 90-acre farm, has held two similar events in the past.
“The event has grown each year, and we are looking for 200 guests this year between vets, wounded warriors, first responders, families and invited dignitaries,” he said.
Basla extended the invitations through the Clear Path For Veterans resource center, the WWP database, the Syracuse VA Medical Center, the 174th Attack Wing at the Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, and the Fort Drum Soldier Recovery Unit.
“Additionally, we invited the mayor of Cazenovia, Kurt Wheeler, and he accepted, the Cazenovia chief of police, Michael Hayes, and he accepted, and the Madison County sheriff, Todd Hood, and he accepted,” Basla said. “Members of the Caz fire department [will also be there.]”
According to Basla, the goals of the picnic are to recognize CNY wounded warriors and veterans of all US conflicts; to open a channel of communication with the Fort Drum Soldier Recovery Unit; to provide local community members and leaders with the opportunity to meet and show their appreciation for some of the region’s wounded warriors; to generate greater interest and involvement in the WWP by highlighting its objectives and opportunities; to offer wounded warriors the chance to connect with other veterans, create new friendships, and network with the community; to introduce The Maples as a safe place for wounded warriors, their families, and others; and to provide a fun and memorable afternoon for all in attendance.
Basla, who grew up in Syracuse, served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1978 to 2014. After serving multiple assignments, he retired as a lieutenant general serving as the chief, information dominance and chief information officer in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon. His community service work includes speaking with wounded warriors and serving on the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association International Executive Board of Directors and the Armed Services YMCA Board of Directors. He is also first vice president of the local Lions Club and a member of the local American Legion Post 88.
Basla organized the picnic with WWP alumni specialist Nancy Beetstra (Schiliro), a U.S. Marine veteran of the Gulf War and a wounded warrior.
Beetstra, who lost her eye as result of a mortar explosion in Iraq, first became involved with WWP in 2007. She is committed to educating other service members about WWP’s offerings and helping to forge connections and support systems between wounded warriors, veterans and service members.
WWP is a nonprofit organization that offers programs, services and events to help honor and empower severely injured service men and women. To learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
For more information on the Sept. 26 event, call 315-655-4706.
