HONORING IRAQ VETERANS

To the Editor

 On Sunday October 13, 2013 the Danbury Veterans Council held a Welcome Home Iraq Veterans celebratory event at the War Memorial. Despite the fact that the opening parade had to be cancelled due to the government shutdown, the events scheduled for after the parade continued. 

After spending two tours in Iraq and a tour at Fort Lewis, WA working with wounded warriors, I was able to recognize the importance of providing any type of service available to our veterans in my home town of Danbury. Many veterans are not aware of services that they are entitled to nor do they know what other organizations are able to assist them.  It was my intention to bring these to our Danbury veterans and their families. 

At the event on Sunday, my committee and I coordinated with over 20 organizations/agencies to be on site that day to give our veterans an opportunity to learn what is available to them. One of the organizations was Save a Suit Foundation which collected over 40 suits and gave away a few suits to our veterans.  These suits were generously donated by our own Danbury residents.

Although there was a government shutdown there was representation from the Veterans Administration which demonstrated the importance to assist veterans in any capacity. An event of this type by where these types of organizations are brought directly to the veterans instead of going to them has never happen in Danbury. The Danbury Veterans Council is looking forward of possibly conducting a Regional Veterans Standown in Danbury at some point in the future whereby a similar type of event is held.

I would personally like to thank everyone that attended or participated in this great event with a special thanks to the City of Danbury and War Memorial for their support.