Saugus opens new district veterans office

SAUGUS – State and town officials, veterans and their families gathered at Saugus Town Hall Friday morning to officially welcome the town?s newest addition.The town?s new veterans office, located next to the Town Clerk, is open for business after Saugus teamed up with Melrose and Wakfefield this fall to form a veterans district.Town Manager Scott Crabtree kicked off a ceremony in the auditorium and thanked State Sen. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn) and selectmen Vice Chairman and Veterans Council President Steve Castinetti for their hard work.?When I took office in April Sen. Tom McGee was right there to take my call and helped me though the process and set up meetings with the state,” said Crabtree, who noted the veterans district will be a cost effective way of providing a key benefit to residents.McGee called it a “great day” for Saugus and after thanking State Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) for his help, said the new office is a “big step forward.”?This town is really a beacon in terms of recognizing veterans as they come back and this is one step in that direction to make sure veteran all have access to all the services they need,” said McGee.Ryan McLane, the head of the new veterans district introduced himself, as did Saugus? new Veterans Services Officer Andrew Biggio.McLane, a U.S. Army veteran who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the Saugus office will be opened to any veteran who needs help, whether it be acquiring benefits or just to talk.?There are thousands of benefits out there but if you don?t know what they are they?re useless,” said McLane. “Everyone who comes through the door deserves at least a chance to discuss whatever it is that?s bothering them or a phone call back to make sure that what they need is being taken care of. That?s our overall mission.”Biggio, a decorated U.S. Marine, helped start two veterans non-profits and said he wants to use that experience to raise money for Saugus veterans.?I really plan on utilizing Route 1 for a lot for posters or donation bins for a Saugus veterans relief fund I?d like to set up down the road to help veterans more quickly that need help with food or clothes,” said Biggio.Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan was also on hand, and called it an “absolute honor” for Melrose to partner with Saugus. Dolan said no matter what is happening with the country politically, taking care of veterans should always be the top priority.?We must be united regardless of whether we go over the fiscal cliff and dedicate everything we have to those that have served this country,” said Dolan.After the ceremony, the crowd made its way downstairs to unveil a prisoner of war/missing in action chair outside the new office. The single black wooden chair is flanked by an American flag and a POW/MIA flag with a velvet rope in front.?We?re one of the first town halls to install a POW/MIA chair,” said Biggio. “I?m hoping that the other towns that I?m a Veterans Services Officer in, Melrose and Wakefield, will be soon to follow.”As the ceremony ended, Castinetti said the new veterans office won?t be like the old one, noting it will be “proactive” instead of “reactive.”?This isn?t just a new office,” said Castinetti. “It?s a new vision for veterans.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].