In honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Congressman Ryan Mackenzie held a Veterans Resource Expo at Penn’s Peak.

The event Sunday was held in partnership with state Sen. David Argall, state Rep. Doyle Heffley and the Carbon County Veterans Affairs Office.

“It’s very important to appreciate the unique set of needs our veterans have,” said Mackenzie, R-7. “There are many organizations and resources to find out about, and people can connect at events like this by walking around, seeing the different booths and getting information and resources.”

Booths included DVO (Disabled Veterans Outreach), Battleborne, Veteran Support Groups, Carbon County Veterans Affairs and Victory for Veterans.

St. Luke’s Penn Foundation, a mental health hub, operates Victory for Veterans, which is a free program helping veterans who are struggling with suicidal thoughts. Certified peer specialists, who are also veterans, help those struggling “acquire resources to prevent veteran suicide,” said Mark Snyder, a certified peer specialist.

Ami Ritter from Concerned Veterans for America, a nonpartisan and nonprofit group, was on hand to help explain the Veterans Access Act. The act is intended to expand veterans health care choices and aims to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to inform veterans of their community care eligibility, develop an online portal for veterans to self-schedule appointments and provide easier access to mental health and substance abuse programs and telehealth.

Emma Hope, representing the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, was promoting the use of 211, a 24/7 free and confidential service that connects veterans to service providers for mental health, food, housing and financial services. It is provided in 180 languages.

A military tradition of coin trading also was part of the expo. The coins are carried for military units or first responders. People collect, exchange and swap them, showing an appreciation of service. Mackenzie offered coins to service members in attendance at the event.

Veteran support groups are held from noon to 2 p.m. Mondays at the Allentown VA Clinic, 310 Hamilton Blvd., and from 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays at VFW Post 7293, Springmill Road, Whitehall.

There was camaraderie among the veterans, who had an opportunity to get together and learn about accessing the many programs available for assistance.