NEW CITY – The Town of Clarkstown’s annual veterans’ appreciation ceremony, held at its community center on Friday, drew a large attendance to say “thank you” to those who have served in the nation’s armed forces.
Alan Moskin, an Army veteran who served in World War II and was among the concentration camp liberation forces, delivered the days key note address.
“It’s good to be here,” he quipped. “At my age it’s good to be anywhere.”
The proud veteran used his time to thank the town for its support, and to shed light on some distressing statics concerning American veterans.
“Every day about 20 U.S. veterans commit suicide; to me that is a very shocking number.”
Moskin, like many of the other veterans in attendance, participates in a group designed to try and remedy that epidemic. “I’m happy and proud to say that here in Rockland we have a peer-to-peer group where older veterans can work with recently discharged veterans and their spouses and help them in any way we possibly can.”
Operating out of Bridges, the county’s Disability Resource and Advocacy Center, the peer-to-peer support group has been a great benefit to those suffering from suicidal thoughts and depression, he noted. The group helps new vets with their medical needs, provides them any transportation they might require, and offers a sympathetic ear for those having difficulty readjusting to society.
“Many veterans don’t seek psychiatric treatment because they’re afraid of having it on their records,” explained Moskin. Programs like the one provided by Bridges, allow former soldiers to talk through their feelings with people who can relate to their trauma. “We’ve been there, done that,” said Moskin, who firmly believes that veterans are uniquely qualified to help each other.
“Rockland County does a very good job supporting their vets,” he told the crowd. Peer-to-peer counseling is something “every county in every state should think about.”
