State officials are firing up the grills and striking up the band to welcome home veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I think it's important because we need to show our servicemen we care about them and we're proud of them," said Ward 7 City Councilor Joseph Giordano, who helped coordinate Saturday's event. "So many times people refer to the Vietnam War when those guys came home and there were no 'thank yous.' Any way we can show appreciation is a great effort."
Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and their family members will be treated to a free cookout and other activities Saturday at the National Archives and Record Administration building on Trapelo Road.
Diane LeBlanc, spokeswoman for the National Archives And Record Administration, said her agency is among several federal groups invested in Saturday's event.
"It's actually a very close federal community in the Boston area. One of the major parts is the veterans affairs health care system," LeBlanc said. "Back in November, when I was looking for veterans' events for us to get involved with, I learned that all VA systems across the country had been tasked with holding a veterans welcome home event before the end of May."
LeBlanc attended a similar event in New Hampshire in November. She then got in touch with the director of the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System.
" I reached out to my colleague Michael Larson and said when you do your event in Massachusetts, please consider us," LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc said Waltham was considered because of its reputation for providing veterans services.
"They know the city's history. Larson was actually one of our speakers when City Councilor Joe Giordano brought the (moving) Vietnam War Memorial here a few years ago," she said. "They are familiar with the city and the city's commitment to veterans."
Saturday's festivities include pony rides, an animal show, music and raffles throughout the day with a grand prize of $1,000 cash or a 42-inch flat screen television.
"We're expecting about 1,000 people throughout the day, soldiers and family members," LeBlanc said. "The VA has sent out personal invitations to all soldiers that have returned and that actually came through the health care system. If the soldiers had any reason to go to any of the VA hospitals or the VA clinics, they were invited."
Information on federal and state benefits, jobs and educational opportunities will also be provided.
"It's a two-part event. It's a welcome home event and it's an opportunity," LeBlanc said. "We bring them together in one place and we provide them with information they would want access to ... there will be several agencies there that have real jobs to offer."
The event, which is not open to the public, is scheduled from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. inside the building and on the lawn outside the National Archives and Record Administration at 380 Trapelo Road.
The event is sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Greater Boston Federal Executive Board and National Archives Northeast Region. The Greater Boston Federal Executive Board brought together other federal agencies to collaborate on the event.
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com
