Salkins receives lifetime achievement award

LYNN – In recognition of his 25 years of service to veterans everywhere, Franco-American Amvets Post 161 Commander Arthur Salkins has been awarded a lifetime achievement award from the Amvets.”I was shocked,” Salkins said. “I knew nothing about this.”Salkins said he came for a council meeting but left with an award.”What made it so unique is they presented it to me on February 9, which happens to be my father’s birthday,” he said. “He would have been 105.”The award praises the Vietnam veteran for his outstanding service not only for veterans in Lynn but throughout Essex County.Salkins served in Southeast Asia during the 1960s and has marched in the city’s Memorial Day Parade for about 25 years. He has also served as Commander of Post 161 off and on for 20 years and steady for the last six or seven, he said.And there is nothing he likes better than helping a fellow veteran.”Nothing means more to me than serving and helping the veterans. I’ve dedicated my life to that,” said Salkins recently.Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy called Salkins “very deserving.” She said Salkins is a familiar face on City Hall’s third floor where both her office and the Veterans Office is located.Picking up the plaque Kennedy said, “this is so beautiful and so deserved as well.”Although he’s been slowed by illness, Salkins said he’ll never be one to sit still.”I’ve been on the go my entire life,” he said. “I’m not one to sit home and say ?why me?'”