St. Lawrence County will soon roll out an identification card for veterans that gives them discounts at participating businesses.

“A lot of counties are adopting this program for veterans,” said Michael L. Boprey Jr., director of the county’s veteran services.

The program for St. Lawrence County has been in the works since last year. About 30 businesses have joined up so far.

“The biggest thing will be to get more businesses on board,” said County Clerk Mary Lou Rupp, whose office will administer the program. “We’d love to get their support.”

Software for the program and decals that will identify participating businesses were paid for respectively by Ogdensburg-area car dealers Mort Backus & Sons and Blevins Motors.

“Our expenses are covered,” Mrs. Rupp said.

Warren County started its version of the program not too long ago and already has 147 businesses enrolled, Mr. Boprey said.

“We thought that would be nice to get started here,” he said.

More than 30 counties in the state have begun the program, Mrs. Rupp said. Jefferson and Lewis Counties are not participants.

The discount varies from business to business.

The first issuance of the cards will take place at a military and veterans appreciation day and career fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16 at Clarkson University’s Cheel Arena.

“That’s been our goal, to start it that day,” Mrs. Rupp said.

Veterans should bring their original DD Form 214 or a certified copy, which is available from the County Clerk’s office if it was registered with the office when the veteran returned from the service or filed a claim in the county.

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