According to an AARP survey, 60 percent of veterans aged 45 and older are not aware of the benefits and resources available to them.

This past Saturday at Brookwood Hall in East Islip, councilman John Lorenzo, Town of Islip liaison to the Veterans Advisory Board, the Town of Islip, and American Legion Post 411, hosted a Veterans Salute to Service Resource Fair. Long Island veterans and their families were invited to learn about the many resources available in their community.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., attendees were encouraged to interact with representatives from more than 10 different organizations, including the American Red Cross, Blue Star Mothers, Catholic Health Good Samaritan Hospital, Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Long Island Cares, Long Island Warriors Veterans Hockey Club, Northport Veterans Administration, Northwell Health Military Liaison Services and the New York State Department of Veterans Services. Additional sponsors included Paws of War, Suffolk County Community College, Suffolk County Emergency Preparedness Agency, Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk Federal Credit Union, United Veterans Beacon House, United States Army Reserve Family Program, VetCenter, and Youth Enrichment Services.

Calvin Hardison, a veterans service representative from the New York State Department of Veterans Services, shared just a few of the services they offer for veterans across the entire region. Some of the benefits include property tax exemptions, access to state parks like Jones Beach or Sunken Meadow, hunting and fishing licenses, and even astronomy programs for stargazers. They also offer a blinded veteran stipend, which is separate from the VA.

“There’s a gamut of services we provide. There are moments where I lose my train of thought trying to remember them all… The best recommendation I have is to sit down with one of our representatives. Schedule an appointment—we basically walk through everything from disability services to education and how that may affect you,” he said.

Even as a veteran, Hardison wasn’t aware of the resources available until he started working for the NYS Department of Veterans Services. That’s why he believes resource fairs are important and can truly make a difference for veterans and their loved ones.

Air Force veteran and veteran service officer Marc Rossi helps veterans with disability claims. The organization is accredited through the American Legion, and his job is to meet with veterans, determine their service-related issues or concerns, and help them file their cases. Then, the case is handed off to the VA.

Like Hardison, Rossi was also unaware of the resources and benefits available to him.

“I never knew this service existed or how in-depth it really goes,” Hardison said. “One of my buddies, who was actually my veteran service officer, helped me get started. Getting the training and learning how everything works behind the curtain has been incredibly helpful. I couldn’t imagine trying to navigate this process on my own.”

Jessica Santiago-Valdes, who works for the U.S. Army Reserve Family Programs, shared that these resource fairs are so important because many veterans don’t know what’s out there. Veterans might know about the VA or larger organizations like Northwell or Blue Star Families, but they don’t always realize how much more is available.

Santiago-Valdes gave the example that many veterans aren’t aware that some food pantries can also assist veterans with finding a job.

The most rewarding part for Santiago-Valdes is hearing directly from the veterans she’s helped. “When a veteran comes back and tells me, ‘Hey Jess, I came to you last year, and because of that, I got my VA rating,’ or ‘I found out I could get services I didn’t even know about’—that’s what keeps me going. If someone walks out of here with even one new resource, I’ve done my job.”

Attendees were invited to enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch provided by Bagel Buzz in West Islip and Our Little Italy in West Islip.