It's Veterans Day 2014 and while many of us will be attending special flag raising ceremonies and other festivities to honor their service, I have an idea that should be considered. Oh, it's good to do the one day honor thing but how about following up with something of lasting significance that will truly be of help.
What am i talking about? I'm suggesting that you become a Champion for a veteran or veterans. All of us know someone nearby, perhaps a family member, who is a veteran and is having problems. Most likely it is physical due to military connected injuries but it can be other things such as difficulty adjusting to civilian life after service. And PTSD, while sometimes hidden and not immediately noticeable, is suffered by so many after the bloodshed and terror of war.
Whatever it might be, they usually need advice, guidance or help with things they don't understand or are having trouble dealing with. And being veterans, men and women who were trained to "gut it up" and do things on their own, they are usually pretty shy about asking for help.
Visit them, let them know you are interested in their well-being and be friendly, but not nosy. Most likely, they will warm up to your helpful nature and want to be your friend. At that point, when you have gained confidence and a reasonable level of camaraderie, you are ready to ask if you can be of assistance. And I'm not talking about money here, although sometimes that is appropriate on occasion when someone is in a pinch, but what I'm really talking about is a friendly ear, a helping hand with chores, maybe even a ride to a medical appointment or just giving advice about the neighborhood or community.
We all know that many of our veterans in recent times have been suffering from poor treatment of their medical conditions, mostly from erroneous booking of medical appointments. But when there is someone nearby, such as you as a new friend, who becomes aware, you can help with phone calls, letters or even emails informing appropriate officials of the problem and the plight. If this had happened for so many of those who suffered, we would probably not have the problem that we have today. After all, most Americans will "step up to the plate" for our veterans; they are one group of citizens that all Americans respect and rightfully so for what they did for us.
So on this Veterans Day 2014, go to the local flag raising ceremony or other celebration, but vow to find someone who is a vet who can use your help to whatever degree you can offer. Make Veterans Day everyday and watch them smile. And you can also smile knowing that you are giving of yourself to someone who truly needs your help and will appreciate it.
Happy Veterans Day, everyone and God bless America. May she ever be free. And with all the hard work of our current group of active service members who will one day be the next wave of veterans, she will. Have a wonderful and memorable Holiday.
What am i talking about? I'm suggesting that you become a Champion for a veteran or veterans. All of us know someone nearby, perhaps a family member, who is a veteran and is having problems. Most likely it is physical due to military connected injuries but it can be other things such as difficulty adjusting to civilian life after service. And PTSD, while sometimes hidden and not immediately noticeable, is suffered by so many after the bloodshed and terror of war.
Whatever it might be, they usually need advice, guidance or help with things they don't understand or are having trouble dealing with. And being veterans, men and women who were trained to "gut it up" and do things on their own, they are usually pretty shy about asking for help.
Visit them, let them know you are interested in their well-being and be friendly, but not nosy. Most likely, they will warm up to your helpful nature and want to be your friend. At that point, when you have gained confidence and a reasonable level of camaraderie, you are ready to ask if you can be of assistance. And I'm not talking about money here, although sometimes that is appropriate on occasion when someone is in a pinch, but what I'm really talking about is a friendly ear, a helping hand with chores, maybe even a ride to a medical appointment or just giving advice about the neighborhood or community.
We all know that many of our veterans in recent times have been suffering from poor treatment of their medical conditions, mostly from erroneous booking of medical appointments. But when there is someone nearby, such as you as a new friend, who becomes aware, you can help with phone calls, letters or even emails informing appropriate officials of the problem and the plight. If this had happened for so many of those who suffered, we would probably not have the problem that we have today. After all, most Americans will "step up to the plate" for our veterans; they are one group of citizens that all Americans respect and rightfully so for what they did for us.
So on this Veterans Day 2014, go to the local flag raising ceremony or other celebration, but vow to find someone who is a vet who can use your help to whatever degree you can offer. Make Veterans Day everyday and watch them smile. And you can also smile knowing that you are giving of yourself to someone who truly needs your help and will appreciate it.
Happy Veterans Day, everyone and God bless America. May she ever be free. And with all the hard work of our current group of active service members who will one day be the next wave of veterans, she will. Have a wonderful and memorable Holiday.
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