BETHEL - After 5 years , Matt Bolton retired from the Navy, where he was an ordinance technician. In other words, he used to build bombs for aircraft.
And, yes, he really did travel the world.
“ Deployed 3 times around the world on an amphibious assault ship," Bolton said. "It was a good time.”
Now he’s on a new mission – deployed in college.
So what’s harder? Building bombs? Or building a career in the real world?
“ I don’t know," he said. "That is the greatest question – they both have demands.”
Enter Save-A-Suit. The Bethel non-profit invites veterans to come in and get dressed . Literally.
“Our job here is to get them in a suit, get them feeling confident, and get them tips and tricks on how to make a great first impression," Said Jessica Ewud, with Save-A-Suit. “Our goal is to get the veterans feeling confident.”
Thirty veterans from West Haven came in today and suited up. Thanks to donations it doesen’t cost them a dime.
“ We don’t want them going into a job interview with a disadvantage,” said Ewud.
When you’re suiting up a veteran from top to bottom, you have to hit everything – including the smile – and that’s why they also brought in the ‘mouth mobile’ from Aspen Dental – to give them a free dental checkup.
“ When they leave , they have a huge smile on their face,” she said.
They help close to 500 vets a year and in 4 ½ years they’ve helped thousands.
“To have these outlets to have people helping out, it means a lot," said Bolton. "To show up in the workforce looking presentable. All because of someone’s gratious donations”
Leaving him with a better look , and outlook – for the work world ahead.