SWAMPSCOTT — United States Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Patrick Burke, who resides in town, is coordinating a Veterans/Military Community Service Day at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) building, which will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Sept. 25.
Hosted by the Swampscott American Legion, Lynn-Swampscott Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Marine Corps League, the event at 8 Pine St. will feature food, a raffle and miniature therapy ponies, according to Burke. He said that above all else, it will help veterans and current military families figure out which services are available to them.
“Having served close to 26 years myself, I’ve been on the receiving end of help,” Burke said. “I’ve seen people who don’t get any help or support and it’s heartbreaking.”
Burke said that this event is mainly focused on veterans who are trying to access health and education benefits, but they won’t turn away any active military families looking for assistance from the community. He said that he will gladly sign up families on a local list so that active military families will have a resource to reach out to for assistance if they need anything.
“It’s so important,” Burke said about community support to military veterans and those currently in service. “It allows military members to continue to serve.”
Organizations like Anchor Food Pantry and the Lynn Community Health Center mobile clinic are going to be at the event to provide resources to active military members and veterans.
Burke said that he plans on making this a biannual event, which would take place in the fall and spring.
“We’re building something good here for Lynn and Swampscott and the military community,” Burke said.
For more information about the event, contact Burke at [email protected] or text him at 781-910-1558.
Katelyn Sahagian can be reached at [email protected].
