Milwaukee VA hosts Welcome Home event: "It's like you just know each other right away"
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- After serving in Vietnam for two years, Steven Brunell wears a vest telling the stories of his service and reminding him of that unspoken bond among his fellow soldiers.
"It's like you just know each other right away because there's a trust that you just have with another veteran," said Brunell.
To thank veterans like Brunell, the Milwaukee VA began hosting a Welcome Home event back in 2007.
It originally started to honor soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan.
"As the conflicts have wound down, we wanted to continue the event but we opened it up to all eras of veterans just for the VA to say thank you for your service," said Milwaukee VA Transition Patient Advocate Delon Powell.
It gives veterans an opportunity to build friendships and connect with others who understand.
"With events like this, it's kind of like seeing your old cousins and going back to a family reunion," said Powell.
"It's comforting. In a way it's kind of like a big hug," said Brunell.
VA staff served up hot dogs, chips, and soda to veterans who deeply appreciated the gesture.
"It's a welcome that there's no worlds for, even though it's a hot dog it's almost like getting a prime rib dinner," said Brunell.
Showing even the smallest acts of kindness can mean the most, for those who have sacrificed so much.
For more information on the services the Milwaukee VA provides for veterans, CLICK HERE.