SWAMPSCOTT — Massachusetts State Rep. Jenny Armini (D-Marblehead) joined the Disabled American Veterans Lynn-Swampscott E.F. Gilmore Chapter 64 for their meeting Saturday. In her statement to the chapter, Armani affirmed her dedication to veterans.
Armani started out by telling the group about her father, a World War II veteran.
“I share this with you because I want you to know that serving and empowering our veterans isn’t just a good thing to do, even though it certainly is, it’s very personal for me, because I honor my father when I honor you and so that’s the lens that I bring to this work,” Armani said.
Some of the specific work she touched on was keeping the Lynn Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic open and creating housing for veterans.
“I see it as my job to do what I can to make sure veterans have their health care, have the housing and the other services they need to thrive in the community,” Armini said.
State Rep. Peter Capano and Rep. Daniel Cahill are also committed to helping veterans, she said.
“We are really fortunate in this area to have great champions for veterans,” Armani said.
One of the topics discussed between Armini and the chapter members was the future closing of the Lynn VA clinic with members noting how the next closest locations are in Boston or Bedford. In December, VA officials said the clinic is to have a firm three-year contract, with an additional “soft” three-year renewal option, but in June the New Bedford VA office suggested that they would renew the clinic’s lease for five years.
“It’s on the forefront for the whole delegation,” Armani said. “I think that the Lynn delegation has made their voices loud and clear, and will continue to. The best care for veterans is care that’s in the community so to close Lynn and have veterans have to schlep somewhere else to find their care, that’s not honoring.”
For the rest of her time at the meeting, Armini answered questions and had more discussions with the members of the chapter about what she can do to help them on the state and federal government levels.
“My job is to advocate for you with Congressman Moulton and with the federal administration of the VA,” Armani said. “Getting out there and saying, ‘You gotta keep this open because my constituents need it.’”
Brigadier General Andrea Gayle-Bennett of the DAV E.F. Gilmore Chapter 64 said it was “monumental” to have an elected official come out and voice their support for them.
“Sometimes we feel like we’re laughing or crying out in the dark and no one’s listening, but she’s listening. And she mentioned a lot of things that are important to us, the housing, health care, those are really important things,” Gayle-Bennett said. “We try to advocate for ourselves, but when you’ve got a political power behind you, it’s very helpful.”
