By Mary O’KEEFE

Veterans and their spouses are invited to a free barbecue sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1614 on Saturday.

“There are so many veterans in our area that don’t know about the VFW,” said Andy Gero, VFW member.

For over 100 years, the VFW has been an organization that supports veterans. As an organization, it also supports its community and works to help veterans, both those who have returned recently from serving and those who have long returned home. It is also a support organization for veterans’ families.

Gero said that Post 1614 is having the barbecue to introduce veterans to the organization and to let them know all the resources available to them.

Many times when a young service man or woman returns from military duty their focus is on adjusting to civilian life. Joining a veterans organization is typically not what they are looking for, however for new veterans there is an advantage to becoming part of the VFW, Gero said.

The Veterans Administration is not an easy organization to navigate. There are often issues with pay, service records and medical care. VFW members have not only the knowledge but also the power to help navigate through the bureaucracy, he added.

Veterans, active military personnel, National Guard and reservists along with their immediate families who live in the foothill area are all invited to the barbecue on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the post headquarters at 4011 La Crescenta Ave. RSVP to post1614@aol.com.

  Mary Okeefe