Lynn, Revere, Saugus reps sponsor veterans Web cast

SAUGUS-The state legislature will hold a live Web cast aimed at military veterans and their families tonight at 7 p.m. via the Internet.State Reps. Mark Falzone (D-Saugus), Kathi-Anne Reinstein (D-Revere) and Sens. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn) and Anthony Galluccio (D-Cambridge) called the interactive event important.The Web cast is intended to educate veterans, especially those recently returning from overseas, about the programs, resources and benefits that are available to them. Topics covered will include financial assistance, public assistance, bonuses, tax exemptions, outreach centers, housing assistance and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.Falzone called it an unprecedented initiative that would allow those involved to instant message their questions in real time to panelists from organizations and agencies including the Department of Veterans Services, The Veterans Administration, the Women Veterans Network, The Department of Workforce Development, and other state and federal departments. In addition, participants will be able to record their questions beforehand and post them to www.youtube.com/massdvs.”We all have the duty to take care of those who have made such great sacrifices for our country,” Falzone said. “The reality is, however, that often the people who need the most assistance are those that have the least access to the services available to them. Because of this I strongly encourage veterans and their friends and families to participate in this important Web cast.”Reinstein added, “This is a great opportunity for all of our veterans to be able to get the information they need and deserve in an easy and efficient manner. This new and innovative approach to provide information could be particularly helpful to those just returning from duty.”A Web cast is a live video file that is broadcast over the Internet and is viewed in a similar fashion to the way one would watch a TV program. For more information concerning the Web cast and to register, visit www.WeOweU.org. For general information on services available to veterans in Massachusetts, visit www.mass.gov/veterans.