A group of musicians play at the Kalama Park in Kihei for a special Veterans Day luncheon on Monday. The Maui News/MEGAN MOSELEY

Montez Picou, 74, was sitting at a picnic table at Kalama Park in Kihei, surrounded by his fellow veterans during a special luncheon in honor of those who have served in American wars.

Picou said he was 17 when he went to Vietnam — a moment that changed his life forever.

“I got PTSD so there’s a lot of things that are hard,” he said. “It was hard to get back in the world again, especially since I left when I was 17 years old. I was a child. And when I got back I was only 19 so I was still a child. I didn’t know nothin’ about anything.”

Picou was one of many veterans attending the luncheon that had representatives from various organizations, including the local Veterans of Foreign War posts, Salvation Army and local Scouts of America troops who served guests hot dogs, hamburgers, chili and mac salad.

Not normally one for social gatherings, Picou said he was glad to attend the day’s event and discussed some of the challenges American veterans face when they come home.

“I didn’t get my benefits until I was 65 years old. Nobody really knew how to tell me how to do it, but I’ve been going to the clinic for 20 years now,” he said

“I’m still working on it to get 100%, but that’s taking time. I’ve been doing that for the past year. I’m doing it myself so it’s hard,” he said.

He said one of the challenges veterans face is getting help with their paperwork. He said he could work through separate organizations for help, but they cost money.

Today he said he goes to the Veterans Clinic in Kahului and is continuing to advocate for his benefits.

Deborah Williams, whose partner is a veteran, said the luncheon occurs every year at the same place and time, and it is a collaborative effort of the Maui County Veterans Council and volunteers from the community offering donations for food, music and more.

“It’s for fellowship. It’s for the veterans to get together and to know that the community supports them,” she said.

Also present at the luncheon was Janna Hoehn, one of the volunteers for the Wall of Faces, a project committed to finding photos to go with more than 58,000 names on the wall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. She said she’s passionate about supporting veterans after growing up during the Vietnam War.

“My whole entire high school years was Vietnam. When I saw the veterans coming home, it was really so sad,” she said. “It has always stayed in my heart.”

Mark Saxon works to provide outreach to unsheltered individuals through the Salvation Army and was present during Monday’s event. A homeless veteran himself when he first moved to Maui 18 years ago, he said there’s a lot the public can do to support the community.

“First thing is we have to find them. We have to reach out to them and let them know we care and that we’re here to help them,” he said. “Many are homeless, some might be struggling with PTSD, they might have addictions but we need to let them know there’s help that’s available for them.”

Alton Sanders, commander for the local VFW 3850, said currently the unit is revamping its efforts to improve the facility and space and to support their neighborhood and provide holistic opportunities to veterans on the island.

“We want to have a facility where the veterans can come, have things to do and heal,” he said. “My goal is to have the neighbors, community, Hawaiian culture and VFW all working together.”

For more information about veteran services on Maui, visit mauicounty.gov/2124/Information-for-Veterans.