Organizations and lawmakers come together to help veterans

ROCHESTER, NY — As Memorial Day approaches, the community is reaching out to those who have served our country with an event that brings organizations and leaders together under one roof to help provide support to veterans.

Agencies from Monroe and surrounding counties, all ready to help veterans by providing information and resources in the area, came together Friday.

“Politicians come to talk and then we get a chance to talk to them,” said U.S. Navy veteran Michael Staub, who served from 1969 to 1978, and says he appreciates having access to lawmakers during the event.

Veterinarians can ask questions and share concerns.

“Often we just stand in silence and watch what happens,” Staub said. “This gives us the opportunity to speak to relevant stakeholders and obtain information regarding our own situation.”

Among them was Assemblyman Brian Manktelow, himself an Army veteran.

“The idea was really to get everyone in one room, one place and allow our veterans to contact as many different agencies outside of the VA or a county veterans office,” he said. he declared. “We have a lot of non-profit organizations that do a lot of special things for our veterans and that’s why it was so important to showcase this here today, especially as we approach Memorial Day this Monday. It’s just the perfect time to bring these veterans here.

Dozens of agencies have come together to offer help to veterans.

“This is important information and, especially now, it affects all of us veterans,” Staub added. “This gives us an opportunity to learn about the resources in our region, especially for young people coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan. They need all the help we can get and this gives us the opportunity to speak for themselves, maybe they can’t speak for themselves and for homeless veterans who don’t speak for themselves. So it’s important.”

This is a very fitting event as we head into a holiday weekend that is often solemn for veterans and the lost loved ones of those who died in service to our country.

“A lot of people think it’s the picnic that marks the start of summer and vacations and all that, but that’s not really what it’s about. This is a day of silence, a day of reflection on what these people have done for our country to give us the freedoms that we have,” Manktelow said. “And that’s what I think From this heartbroken family member, tears flow. , especially on Memorial Day. That’s what it’s all about, remembering them, saying a special prayer for them and doing everything we can for this family.”

“Memorial Day is dedicated to the losses we have suffered,” Staub said. “And it’s important to remember those who sacrificed, who gave everything so that we could live our lives and enjoy the benefits of this wonderful country.”