Wilkes-Barre VA

At Thursday’s parade, the lessons, achievements and horrors from the war were intermeshed with the present. National Salute to Veteran Patients Week honors veterans who live in Community Living Centers (CLCs) or veteran-only nursing homes. It was a joyful celebration with 1960s patriotic swing music and on-brand red, white and blue cake, but bittersweet with memory.

Homelessness is a huge issue facing veterans, both locally and nationally. In Scranton, St. Francis Commons provides housing for unhoused veterans while helping them get back on their feet.