Overview

Spearheaded by the energetic commitment and leadership of Richard Barbato, VFW Post 1093 hosted its First Annual Iraq / Aghanistan Veterans' Convention.

The Convention was conceived as an opportunity to provide a welcoming environment for returning veterans, comradeship, and a full day program complete with briefings and presentations on resources in support programs available to them.

Enhanced GI Bill, job search assistance, PTSD awareness, and a variety of other topics were briefed.

Members from all veterans organizations in Ipswich assisted and volunteered.

Description of the Event

Young veterans of the area who have returned home from the War on Terror are faced with a myriad of obstacles that they must surmount, mentally, socially and physically.  Most are unaware of what the various veterans organizations of the area can provide.  The convention will show that they can rely upon a tight knit community of veterans as a solid foundation on which to build upon and get their lives back together if they are struggling.

Veterans organizations foster and perpetuate love of country, duty to the community and civic responsibility.  They foster a bond of brotherhood that can and does only belong to those who have put a uniform on and taken an oath to protect and defend those things that we hold dear.

"You may be lost, but you are not forgotten.  For those who have traveled far, to fight in foreign lands, know that the soldier's greatest comfort is to have his friends close at hand.  In the heat of battle it ceases to be an idea for which we fight.  Or a flag.  Rather we fight for the man on our left, and we fight for the man on our right.  And when armies are scattered and the empires fall away, all that remains is the memory of those precious moments that we spent side by side."  The Four Feathers

2010 Schedule

Although the date has not yet been established, VFW Post 1093 intends to host the Second Annual Iraq / Afghanistan Veterans Convention in 2010.  Check our calendar for details.

Sponsors

Our 2009 Convention was generously sponsored by Ipswich Shellfish.

Schedule of 2009 Event

10:00 - Coffee & Donuts, Orientation
10:30 - "Welcome" - Post 1093 ommander & Sr. Vice
10:45 - Remarks by State Rep Brad Hill
11:00 - PTSD & Readjustment briefing
12:00 - lunch
13:00 - Veterans Services & Benefits - Terry Hart
13:30 - North Shore Community College
14:00 - Operation Total Warrior / Yellow Ribbon Program
15:00 - break
15:30 - Resume writing / Job market  Steve Mitchell
16:00 - Benefits of joining a (several) veterans organizations
16:30 - closing comments

If you are a vet seeking assistance and resources please check our links page for more info.

"Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure." - President Abraham Lincoln