Onondaga County officials are trying to get more young adults who’ve served in the military engaged in veterans' groups. Legislators on the county’s Health and Human Services committee heard from assistant director of Veteran’s Services for Onondaga County Annmarie Mancia on how the department is working with towns to increase the rate of participation.
Mancia said she thought there was a perception issue that kept young people from going to events with groups like the American Legion and VFW.
“A lot of times when you think about the American Legion and you think about the VFW, you think about the bar...and I think what we need to do is focus on the other events that they do have,” Mancia said.
Mancia said there are family-oriented options. Towns from Cicero to Skaneateles are hosting events for young veterans and their families, and Onondaga County is helping to organize them.