The need for such services is growing in the city. About 10 to 20 veterans are returning each month from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Menino said.
“You folks who left their families, their jobs, their loved ones and without asking questions - where, why, how come? - you went and did a job for us so that we have the freedom in America we have today,’’ he said before offering a certificate of appreciation to each veteran.
The goal of the breakfast and chat was not only to show appreciation, but also to explain how the city can help any veteran or family member who needs it. That help can range from explaining veterans’ health insurance and the GI bill that helps veterans go to college; promoting classes for first-time home buyers; finding job openings and training; or offering counseling.
Menino and Urena hope to host regular breakfasts like the one yesterday. “We don’t want to see a vet homeless because of lack of knowing how to seek services available to them,’’ said Urena, a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq war.
James Miller, a Dorchester native and Army National Guardsman who served a year in Afghanistan protecting engineers before he returned home in July, said the information provided and the spirit of the breakfast were “absolutely’’ helpful.
“They gave a lot of good information; it was very informative,’’ said Miller, who now works as an emergency medical technician for Boston EMS. “It’s also good to know the community is outreaching to veterans and support what we were doing over there.’’
Miller said serving in Afghanistan was sometimes like an “alien world,’’ but community support and understanding for veterans when they return is a great help.
“I like knowing there’s a network out there,’’ he said.
