All Veterans Reunion slated for Ottawa

? A veterans group in Ottawa is sponsoring the first-ever All Veterans Reunion Saturday afternoon followed by a concert at the Ottawa Municipal Auditorium.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 0912 of Ottawa is sponsoring the meeting, at which the Rev. John Steer will be the keynote speaker during the afternoon session, which runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Steer also will perform in the later concert at Third and Hickory streets.

The reunion is designed to give all veterans a chance to meet on topics of mutual interest, said chapter member Harvey Nicholson. It is especially geared to soldiers returning from the Iraq war, but all veterans are invited. There also will be sessions for spouses and loved ones of veterans.

Discussions also will include Gulf War Syndrome, Agent Orange benefits, and a seminar for women on coping skills for living with a veteran and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.