Veterans Summit Huge Success

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Created on Monday, 17 March 2014 15:17

Written by Michael Desmond

LYNDON- Veterans came from near and far to the 2nd annual Veterans Summit on Saturday at Lyndon State College.  The veterans club decided that they wanted to have the summit again because the first one was a huge success. They wanted to keep it going because the club believed that it helped veterans get the help they need and also be able to tell their stories.

Thom Anderson, the Summit Organizer was very happy with the attendance. "We have veterans from all over Vermont, New Hampsire, Massachusetts and we have people coming up from D.C., Pennsylvania even, so, it's an incredible turnout."

D.Wayne Robinson, President of Veterans Student of America supported the Veterans. "I recognize your service, I recognize your value that you bring to the community. That's very important." Robinson also stated that, "he believes that Lyndon State is a very friendly school for veterans."

If the support was not enough there, the summit also had exhibitors for veterans. "Fifty some exhibits or booths, here with some kind of resource for Veterans, anything they could possibly need pretty much," said Anderson. One of the exhibits was a group seesions that had three therpy dogs to help the Veterans and support them. There also was the Redsox first base which helps veterans who either are suffering from PTSD. (post traumatic stress disorder), another exhibit helped veterans that maybe homeless. Rick Valenta from Vermont Veterans Services was their to help these veterans. "We're here today to reach out to veterans who are possibly facing some housing instability or recently become homeless."

Some veterans just wanted to talk to other veterans about their time in service. Bill Hawkins a World War II Vet said, "You reminisce, okay? You don't think about the bad things necessarily, it's the good things that happen." We also asked him if he would trade serving for something else. I would never trade serving in the military for a million dollars. You learn to be come a man at 18 when I served. You learn to bond with the guys they are family to you. You don't learn these lessons the way others do. You carry on and remember the people that have fallen and you keep living everyday and stay strong."

Buzz York said that when you are a veteran you still want to serve your country. "It's like it never comes out of your system. It's like you still want to continue to serve."

The day ended with a song by the Nulhegan Drummers. But, not any song, a special song as a tribute to the veterans.