ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Donald Trump supporter Theodore Bakacs entered the Air Force 38 years ago Thursday.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — More than 60 veterans and residents gathered for breakfast at the Saugus American Legion Post 210 Friday morning to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as president.
“Trump, I think, is our salvation,” said Theodore Bakacs, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “I want to go back to when people love our country. I’m so sick of this country and I busted my ass for this country. I hope Trump can make a difference.”
Bakacs, who owns a T-shirt printing businesses, created T-shirts that read “Make America America Again.”
“I think it’s a great day,” said state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus). “We should always honor the position of president, no matter who they are. We should look at what we call the United States and we should be united and change some of the negative energy into positive energy and work together to make America better.”
On an average Friday morning about 40 people gather for breakfast, said Debra Dion Faust, house and bar manager. A typical meal includes eggs, homefries, bacon, ham sausages and either pancakes or french toast. In honor of Friday’s ceremonies, the meal was enhanced by offering pastries, melon, prosciutto, waffles, french toast and pancakes.
“It’s a way of getting people out and having a good time and celebrating events in the world,” Dion said. “Hopefully we’re going to move on seamlessly from here.”
Corinne Riley began bringing her dad, a World War II veteran who died in November, to the breakfast three years ago when he was told he had only three months to live. He quickly formed bonds, felt appreciation and support for his service, and got involved with the military community in Saugus, she said.
Many veterans and their families expressed frustration in the way veterans have been treated in the past eight years and said they hoped the new leadership would bring change to the nation.
“They fought for our nation and they felt like there rights were threatened,” said Maureen Dever, a Saugus resident.
“The vets are for Trump,” said Winthrop. “(The administration) needs to do more for the veterans. Hopefully Trump will be the one to do it.”
Ed Koolian, a volunteer and military veteran, called President Barack Obama the “worst president we’ve had.”
“This man (Trump), if he comes through, we will be a lot better off,” Koolian said. “(Obama) didn’t do a lot for the vets. Hopefully Trump will do a lot more. People don’t realize, this is the best thing that has happened to our country.”
https://newitemlive.wpengine.com/opinion/facebook-users-sound-off-on-donald-trump/
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte