SAN DIEGO — Several veterans from various wars proudly received pins from the County of San Diego and U.S. Marines on Monday during a ceremony with of the Veterans & Military Families Benefit Expo.

San Diego County and several community partners gathered at the War Memorial Building in Balboa Park to commemorate the upcoming 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II.

“The VA might be limited in some of the resources they provide. We bring all the resources available in the community so not only the VA but community resources as well,” said Brian Rollins, Southwest Regional Alumni Director at Wounded Warrior Project.

Rollins says military personnel and their families make a tremendous sacrifice on behalf of our country. The county and its community partners created the expo to support local veterans needing specific services, programs and resources.

“The guys would come on and get rested up between operations and everything and when they go back, some of them didn’t make it back,” said retired Naval Master Chief Alford Claiborne.

Claiborne served in the Navy for 28 years and wanted to see for himself what was available at the Expo. He wants to find out where he could offer his help to fellow military members.

“We’re doing a much better job at taking care of our veterans,” said Claiborne.

The retired Master Chief said war is painful and many veterans have ailments most cannot see or understand.  He says it’s important to remember all who serve each and everyday with beneficial events like this.

“You have to support the people defending you,” said Claiborne.