Resource fair aimed at helping veterans

WHITTIER - Rose Hills Memorial Park will be hosting a resource fair, concert and homeless veteran burial service to commemorate "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" on March 24.The evening service will feature Jesse Cozean, author of "My Grandfather's War: A Young Man's Lessons from the Greatest Generation" and musical performances by New Directions Veterans Choir. It will be followed by a military funeral service for four American veterans who died homeless. The Resource Fair will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to the right of the main entrance with the concert and homeless burial funeral service in the SkyRose Chapel starting at 6 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. "Our theme this year, 'Bridging the Gap: From Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq,' not only reflects our commitment to all veterans, but that of our community as well," said Bruce Lazenby, executive director of business development of Rose Hills. "Together with Vietnam veterans, we are proactively reaching out to our returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan to be sure they receive the welcome and care they deserve as heroes." Cozean will share anecdotes and important life lessons passed on by his grandfather after 50 years living with the memories of life as a German POW. While recovering from heart surgery, Cozean's grandfather Robert lived with him. Along the way, their relationship changed from that of a kid and his Papa to two men seeing each other for the first time. The New Directions Veterans Choir is an award winning a cappella group that sings renditions of doo-wop, soul, traditional gospel and popular music. The choir is composed primarily of men and women who served in the U.S. military and became homeless upon their return home. The resource fair will provide information, support and services to veterans. Non-profit organizations and businesses scheduled to participate in the fair include the American Red Cross, the state's Employment Development Department, CareMore, Kaiser Permanente, Walgreens, Rio Hondo College, Salvation Army, Long Beach Veterans Administration and more.

********** Published: March 7, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 47