Vets Welcome Guide to Life After War

Bost Herald

March 2, 2005


Coping with the loss of both his arms 15 months ago from an exploding helicopter tire in Iraq, it was only recently that Peter Damon learned he was entitled to free tuition at a state community college.


Like many other returning soldiers, Damon, a sergeant in the National Guard, was met with miles off red tape and often didn't know where to look for information about benefits, jobs and health coverage.


All that changed yesterday when Damon was given a resource guide for Massachusetts veterans provided by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) in collaboration with state, community, business and educational leaders.


"This is what I have been waiting for," said Damon, 32, of Brockton. "We need to have one or two organizations that will direct us in all the direction you need to go rather than having 100 people come at you at once."


While the 20 year old James Crosby of Winthrop survived severe wounds while serving with the Marines in Iraq, he remains paralyzed from the waist down.


Like Damon, he has had to navigate the highly confusing system of receiving benefits and treatment.


"It's a great idea to put together all those businessess, all those organizations, all those phone numbers into one pamplet from one source where hopefully this model in Massachusetts can be a model nationwide," said Crosby, who is working for the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services.