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Hundreds Attend Annual Veterans Day Breakfast At Duquesne University

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Some 700 veterans and family members were honored at a Veterans Day breakfast at Duquesne University Wednesday morning.

The Veterans Leadership Program hosted the event to say, "Thank you for your service." But that's not all.

Executive Director Michael Glass, a former Marine, says the leadership council has helped thousands of combat veterans re-integrate with the lives they'd left behind.

"They face a myriad challenges. Sometimes economic challenges, sometimes there are attitudinal barriers from employers. And all they want to do is live a normal life, like anyone else," he says.

Emotional support is just one piece of the puzzle.

"We provide housing assistance, employment assistance, and help in making referrals to other supporting services. We are the anchor for those young men and women in 18 western Pennsylvania counties. We've done it for 33 years. We'll continue to do it for as long as it takes," Glass said.

World War II veteran Joseph Capone, who was among those who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, says Veterans Day brings it all back home.

"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about my buddies who are no longer with us," he said. "I even think of it today, of all the veterans who are in service today, and up in combat areas."

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