Against Iran war backdrop, Suffolk Blue Star moms hold third annual veterans resource fair

Veterans and service organizations highlighted the challenges those who have served face in returning to civilian life at a conference Saturday held against the backdrop of the U.S. war in Iran.

The third annual Veterans Conference and Resource Fair featured about two dozen vendors who set up tables with information as well as a panel discussion and keynote speakers.

The Suffolk County chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, a national nonprofit that provides support to mothers whose children are in the armed forces, hosted the event at The Experience in Hauppauge as a way to connect service members to critical resources.

The event drew about 100 people, most of whom were veterans. Saturday marked the fourth week of U.S. strikes against Iran, which have resulted in the deaths of 13 service members. The U.S. planned to send more troops to the Middle East, the Associated Press reported Saturday, as President Donald Trump said he was considering winding down the war.

Panelist Eric D'Arce, senior vice commander of VFW Post 2913 in Patchogue, served in the Marine Corps from 2007-2011 and in the reserves until 2015.

"I know people get worried," he said in response to a question about family members who are concerned about loved ones serving.

"Just know that they have a team, a unified team working together, that they're ensuring that every single one of those individuals comes home," he said.

Samantha Bent, 57, of Freeport, an Air Force reservist for 32 years, deployed multiple times to Germany and Iraq. She served in healthcare administration, a role she compared to the classic television show "M*A*S*H."

In an interview, she said the current conflict has been "very triggering" for her "especially because there's no end game."

The panel discussion focused on the transition to civilian life, support systems that impacted veterans when returning home, how employers can support veterans and how the understanding of mental health challenges has evolved.

Rosemarie Kluepfel, of Elwood, said when she became president of the Suffolk chapter in 2023, she began to learn more about struggles many service members endure when returning to civilian life.

"So I said, well, doing nothing's not an option," she said. "We have all these resources. Where is the disconnect?"

Keynote speakers were Sharran Chambers-Murphy, founder of the nonprofit Military Women Supporting One Another, and Air Force veteran Kevin Hertell, who created the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance flag to shine a light on the alarming number of veteran suicides.

Chambers-Murphy spoke about gaps in veterans services specific to women. She described issues with childcare and women who survived sexual assault who may be unwilling to ride public transportation.

Hertell discussed the importance of breaking the stigma around military suicides and said the SAR flag is a "tangible symbol to unite us."

"When you see the SAR flag, know that you are not alone," he said. 

Chris Romeu, 48, who served in the Marine Corps from 1996-2000, said the event's messaging hit home. He said he struggled with addiction and depression and didn't know about the resources available that could have helped him earlier in his life.

"A lot of it I thought was my own fault," he said.

But now he knows, "there's help out there."