Veterans Open Arms to Soldiers

President Barack Obama says troops will return home by the end of the year, according to CNN.com.

Shrewsbury Veterans Agent Richard Perron said there will be a lot of soldiers who will need services.

"A lot of soldiers will come home with post traumatic stress syndrome," said Perron who is also a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. "There will be an impact on us locally because we are usually the first person they contact and we help them get in touch with the VA."

Perron said some are very upset and they don't know who to talk to about their problems. "They don't know where to turn," Perron said. "We get them in touch with the right people and services."

One issue that has changed since Perron came back from his tours of duty is the enrollment at the local American Legion.

"The younger veterans aren't coming to the legion as much anymore," Perron said. "When I was president, we offered the first year free, but when some soldiers come home, they don't want to talk to anybody about what they went through."

Another resource for returning veterans is , which has transitional housing on South Street.