John Cyprian, former director of the county Veterans Affairs office, always said Butler County residents have a special affinity and respect for their veterans compared to the 65 other counties in the Keystone State.

Judging by an article in the Sunday edition of the Eagle, Cyprian’s point continues to be proven.

The Robin’s Home Veterans H.E.A.R.T. Resource Center in the old WISR building on North Main Street in Butler, which opened Friday, will provide our veterans much-deserved resources, from a computer lab to a recreation room to a donation center where caring county residents can drop off food and clothing for the selfless local patriots who have put their lives on the line in the name of liberty for all.

Veterans can reach out to staff or volunteers at the center to get help with employment, housing, education and health care resources as well.

A conference room at the center will allow weekly support group meetings for female veterans, according to the article.

Matt and Alison Wilson, owners of Control is Key dog training in Valencia, will bring therapy dogs to the center to work with veterans as well.

The Eagle tips its hat to all those whose concern is the well-being and success of our county residents who saw fit to risk their safety by signing on the dotted line.

Names of young residents who died in action are etched into gleaming granite monuments across the local countryside, and banners on Main Streets in all corners of the county display the faces of those who proudly served.

But not all veterans were lauded for their service or offered support when they arrived back home.

Everyone knows and regrets that Vietnam veterans were spit on, shouted at, and called deplorable names upon arriving home in the 1960s and ‘70s, and many had nowhere to turn in their agony over the war and their treatment once they returned.

Thankfully, Butler County now has many resources that can be accessed by veterans who are in rough shape physically, financially, emotionally or spiritually.

The new Robin’s Home Veterans H.E.A.R.T. Resource Center is just one more way Butler is showing its care and respect for our own brave military men and women.

The Eagle greatly appreciates this new venue for our vets, and encourages all residents to offer their hearty support in any way possible.

— PG