NEWBURY — Looking to enjoy a bit of camaraderie ahead of Memorial Day, over a dozen veterans filled the Newbury Council on Aging Wednesday for a free breakfast.
Seated at tables decorated with flowers and American flags, veterans were joined by state Rep. Kristen Kassner, D-Hamilton, and Mary Ann Nay, representing state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester.
They were served a breakfast of bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs, pancakes, hash browns, and other pastries.
Waiting for veterans at each table were little thank you cards from the COA thanking the veterans for their service.
“There’s a small pin that says ‘United States Veteran.’ If you’re here in support of a veteran, feel free to take a card and give it to someone you know,” Newbury COA Director Cindy Currier said.
Kassner addressed the room, saying she was grateful to be there.
“As we gather this weekend to honor those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms and ideals, I want to thank you for your service,” Kassner said.
Part of her speech focused on her efforts on Beacon Hill to preserve and increase veteran benefits.
“This afternoon we have a bill with veteran services funding, I submitted an earmark to help address transportation issues in this region, to help get veterans to medical appointments,” Kassner said.
Nay spoke on behalf of Tarr, who could not attend as he is working on the state’s budget.
“Thank you for your service to our country, state, community, and each other. God bless America,” Nay said.
Also in attendance was Eastern Essex District Department of Veteran Services District Director Steve Bohn who said his favorite part of these events is the camaraderie.
“Getting to see all the different generations of veterans coming in and different branches. And just for them to connect, share stories, learn about new benefits the VA has to offer,” Bohn said.
He shared why it is so important to get veterans connected with each other.
“While in service, that camaraderie gets you through tough times. When you get out, you kind of feel like you’ve lost that, entering communities not as familiar with veterans,” Bohn said.
He said folks interested in talking with him could come to his office hours located above the Newbury COA the second Thursday of each month beginning at 11:30 a.m.
“Walk-in, first come, first served. If I see someone sitting in the chair, I bring them right in and get them set up,” Bohn said.
Patriots Riders Massachusetts Chapter President and U.S. Navy veteran John Surowiec said these events help his group learn more about veteran needs.
The Patriot Riders’ mission is to help all American Veterans, assist people in the community, to encourage rider participation in events and to promote motorcycle safety.
“Events like this help us learn what we can offer veterans in crisis, connecting them to organizations that can give more education, access to benefits,” Surowiec said.
A member of the Navy from 1976 to 1980, he spent three years stationed in California, where he met his wife.
“We’ve been married since 1978,” Surowiec said.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.