Armed Forces Day to include Parade
May 5, 2008
St. Peters
Hundreds of area veterans will get the information they need about their benefits during the 2008 Veterans Benefits Fair at St. Peters City Hall during the Armed Forces Day event on Saturday, May 17, 2008.
More than 25 veteran-related agencies will be on hand to assist veterans, active military and their families during the Veterans Benefits Fair from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Kathryn Sturgeon, Community Services Coordinator of the St. Louis County Veterans Program, said the Veterans Benefits Fair is for veterans of all the U.S. Armed Forces, whether active or released from duty.
St. Peters City Hall hosted its first Veterans Benefits Fair during the 2007 Armed Forces Day. Sturgeon estimates that 400 to 500 area veterans attended. Many veterans visited with veterans’ service officers to discuss their benefits, she said. Other popular booths during the event included veterans’ organizations, Social Security services and financial management assistance.
“It was packed last year, and we will provide the same services again this year,” Sturgeon said. “This is a great opportunity for area veterans to learn about their benefits in one stop.”
The St. Louis County Veterans Program is coordinating the Veterans Benefits Fair with the St. Peters Veterans Memorial Commission.
“I was very pleased last year when so many area veterans took advantage of the information available in this fair,” said St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano. “I hope this year’s Veterans Benefits Fair is just as successful helping the people who have served our nation.”
The fair will include:
Information about educational benefits;
Veterans Service Officers for Service-connected disabilities and widow’s pensions;
VA Medical Center;
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and eligibility information, and on-the-spot verification of eligibility;
Mental health screenings, especially helpful to veterans who may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder;
Employers on hand who give veterans preference for hiring;
Small business help;
Social Security Administration;
National Personnel Records Center; and
Family Support Division for social services including Medicaid and Medicare.
The Armed Forces Day Parade will start at 9 a.m., moving from Mid Rivers Mall, east on Executive Centre Parkway, south on Spencer Road and then east on Mexico Road to City Hall. This year’s parade is dedicated to “The Greatest Generation,” with a ceremony for World War II veterans as part of the post-parade activities at City Centre.
Bill Rupp, chairman of the St. Peters Veterans Memorial Commission, said, “The community has a great opportunity to show their support for these veterans, as well as their families. This will be a very moving event, and an important event for our community.”
The City Centre grounds will include activities and military equipment displays for the entire family. Everyone in the community is invited to this free event.
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