Milford author Elliot Storm will be a panelist for the Hamden Veterans Commission a panel discussion on how and why Americans respond to the call to service in an ever-changing world from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium located in the Hamden Middle School, 2623 Dixwell Ave., Hamden.

The event is free and the first 150 attendees will receive signed copies of Storm’s novel, "These Scars are Sacred,"compliments of Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service, which also is a sponsor of the event.

Storm, shown, has travelled the country to meet with veterans and others to discuss his book, which focuses on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The discussion will include local, state and national speakers. The public is invited and veterans and their families are especially welcome to attend the pre-Veterans Day event.
Abner Oakes, Chairman of the Hamden Veterans Commission, said in a statement that, "It is worth pausing to reflect on what our veterans and their families must give in order to serve." In addition to the panel discussion, there will be an audio/visual presentation tracing the national response to military service over the past half-century, organizers said.
"The Hamden community has always honored its veterans and we are especially proud to help in any way we can," Arthur Erickson of Beecher & Bennett said in the statement.

Erickson’s firm has been active in collecting items for soldiers serving overseas and Beecher & Bennett is a certified Veterans and Family Memorial Care Provider, the statement said.
Panelists also will discuss a range of important health care, education and other benefit issues affecting veterans and active duty personnel and there will be opportunities for audience questions to the panelists. Attendees can view a mural, shown above, honoring veterans recently constructed by Hamden Middle School students in the lobby of the auditorium.