Town hall held for community members to listen to veterans' stories

A day before Veterans Day, several local service members had the chance to share their experiences serving the United States and to offer insight on how to help veterans in the community.

Congressman Seth Moulton knows the struggle of returning to civilian life after serving in combat, and said he also knows the value in sharing stories of that struggle.

"It's a way to bring veterans and everyone else together," Moulton said.

Just ahead of Veterans Day, the town hall was held for community members to listen to stories from veterans.

"It's a tough experience to go overseas, and it's also a tough experience to come back home and to transition to life back here," Moulton said.

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Moulton, a Marine, started the annual event in his hometown of Marblehead as a way for people to learn how they can help veterans in the community.

"Veterans do remarkably well when they succeed in business and get involved in their communities," Moulton said. "They vote at high rates and earn bigger salaries in their lifetimes, but so many have trouble with that transition."

An Army National Guard veteran spoke at the event about her time as a battalion surgeon serving in Iraq.

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"It takes a toll," she said.

She describe taking on all of the anxiety, fear and trauma of the injured she helped, and how much her service dog from "Operation Delta Dog" has helped.

"Helps me with the wounds you can't see," she said.

Moulton says he hopes more communities hold similar town halls, not just around Veterans Day.

Cox Media Group