Vet Benefit Fair Is A Big Draw

Joe Peters discovered resources he never knew were available.

He also ran into a couple men who served in his same squadron more than 50 years ago.

Saturday's veteran benefit resource fair was way more productive than he could have imagined.

"It's outstanding to have this here," Peters said. "I learned about some things I was entitled to that I didn't even know about."

The U.S. Navy veteran served on a destroyer and worked inside the engine room. His hearing was partially damaged. On Saturday, he learned about the many services that could assist him.

A lady walked up to Peters and asked whether he would want to speak to some other veterans she knew - they served on submarines.

"No, we sunk subs," Peters said laughing. "They probably don't want to talk to me."

The open camaraderie was obvious among the veterans at the fair. The courtyard at Nature Coast Technical High School was filled with 400 or so people.

The vendors were inside, which allowed for more room for live entertainment, raffle drawings and the long line in front of Rep. Ginny Brown Waite's booth.

The congresswoman organized the fair for the second consecutive year. It was designed to provide information to local veterans about education and employment benefits, medical services and housing assistance.

"This has been very good and I've been getting a lot of information here," said Dayne Cote, a U.S. Army veteran who lives in Hudson. "It's very helpful to have something like this ... I didn't even know about VA benefits until my brother-in-law told me about it."

Brown-Waite presented 16 veterans with medals - among them were four Purple Heart and two French Legion of Honor medal recipients.

A Veterans History Project also was on display Saturday.

"This is such a good idea," said Mike Stansbury, a U.S. Air Force veteran and a member of the VFW Post 10209 in Spring Hill. "So few vets know what's out there and how to find it.

Stansbury served in Vietnam and comes from a line of military veterans.

"(We're) there to help our young brothers and sisters who are returning from the Gulf and giving them the help they need," he said.