It is not enough to honor and serve our veterans this day, it is essential that the country, community think of them not just on November 11, or for the fallen on Memorial Day.
These are two days of attention, but for our active military, our veterans, their families, and survivors and their providers, everyday is Veteran's Day. Because it never ends, their service. I sit in my office and see them everyday, my colleagues see them, house them, council them, everyday, veterans from WWII to Post 9-11.
It is not enough to honor and serve our veterans this day, it is essential that the country, community think of them not just on November 11, or for the fallen on Memorial Day.
These are two days of attention, but for our active military, our veterans, their families, and survivors and their providers, everyday is Veteran's Day. Because it never ends, their service. I sit in my office and see them everyday, my colleagues see them, house them, council them, everyday, veterans from WWII to Post 9-11. Lately we see too many young veterans coming to us in crisis, homeless, in debt, over-
medicated without proper instruction, waiting for benefits, on the edge.
Our veterans are grossly over-represented among our nation's homeless population. One third of homeless are veterans while they make up just 12% of our population. What does that say?
So I hope you will think of them everyday. And reach out everyday.
Here are some opportunities that show the breadth of services needed, children, survivors, TBI, PTSD, housing, mental health, pick the need that touches your soul and give.
www.coalitionforveterans.org
For information on issues visit Swords-to-Plowshares.org
My very best to all of the Kos community.