By Josh LaBella
Voice Reporter
West Haven veterans continue their service well after their time in the military. That was the message at a recent session of the West Haven Veterans’ Council and the West Haven Vietnam Veterans.
Members of both groupsrun fundraisers to support the community in a number of ways. Alan Beck, vice president of the Veterans’ Council, said their mission is to help out whoever needs it in the city.
“That’s our biggest mission,” said Beck, “A couple years ago Steve [Carney] and Dave [Ricci] and us started a scholarship fund for the West Haven High School.”
Steve Carney, the treasurer of the council, said in the last two years the group has donated $6,000 to the scholarship fund at the high school. He said this year they plan to donate another four thousand.
“What our stipulation is that they don’t give it to the smartest kids with the highest GPAs,” said Carney. “It’s that it goes to the kids who need it most. We want them to doll out four $1,000 scholarships. It’s not a ton of money but, if you come from a family that’s not in good shape, they appreciate a thousand bucks.”
Carney said the groups also do food and clothing drives. He said they used to do a lot more but the group has gotten smaller over the years. He said there are about 10 to 12 people who come to their meetings and about half of that do a majority of the work.
“I got to say, the guys that do the work break their balls,” said Dave Ricci, the group’s president. “They hump. They’re good and dedicated.”
Carney said bringing the mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall to West Haven is another example of the work the groups do. He said the wall came to Bradley point in front of Savin Rock three times.
Ricci said bringing the wall to the city cost $7,500, of which the city loaned them half. He serving the community is something they feel they have to do. Carney said some of them also want to change the perception of Vietnam veterans.
“When we came home,” said Carney, “we weren’t look at very well. People didn’t care. If we can do some good stuff, we can maybe change the perception of who we are in general.”
Carney said it is important to him that they focus on local needs. He noted that national organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project have large sponsors and get millions donated each year.
“I would rather give a thousand dollar scholarship to a senior at West High School,” said Carney. “A thousand dollars is a lot more important to that kid than it is to an organization that’s making millions and million and millions of dollars.”
Ricci said the students write them thank you letters after receiving the scholarships and they seem very appreciative.
Carney said the organizations are sponsoring a concert on the Green in June for the third year in a row. He said a main way they would fund their philanthropy was by selling t-shirts at the West Haven Apple Fest but people are not buying as many as they used to. He said they want more people to join so they can generate more ideas.