Port Chester has become the first municipality in New York state to approve a new property tax exemption aimed at helping seriously disabled veterans remain in their homes.

The Village’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to provide eligible permanently and totally disabled veterans with a 100% exemption from the village portion of their property taxes.

For 82-year-old Vietnam veteran Tom Giorgi, the relief will make a significant difference.

“It’ll help me tremendously, financially, but also make me feel very good inside,” Giorgi said.

Giorgi was severely injured while serving in Vietnam and continues to live with the long-term effects of those injuries. He received a Silver Star for running through heavy fire to provide aid to his squad leader.

The exemption was authorized through the New York state budget, but individual villages, towns and counties must vote to adopt it locally.

Veterans advocate Chester Edwards said the exemption could be life-changing for older veterans struggling with rising expenses and property tax bills.

“Some of them are scrambling,” Edwards said. “This big property bill can actually drain a lot of their funds. These guys served. They have mental and physical injuries that you can’t even imagine.”

Eligible veterans must apply through the Town of Rye assessor’s office.