A Challenge for all of us this holiday season...

2014-11-26T01:01:10-05:00

This came to me after reading a post by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member . Thank you for the inspiration SIR! I challenge all of us on RP, to give back to our homeless and disabled veteran community. I'm searching for ways we can help. Visit a VA hospital, and stay and visit with the troops if you have nothing to give. Visit a homeless camp in your city and bring a half dozen pizzas. Visit a thrift store and buy every single blanket and donate them to our homeless vets. I'm looking for other ideas as well...if your up for the challenge, please reply with how you will help. Visit a WWII, Korean, or VN vet in a nursing home. Or it may be dropping off some gifts for a deployed veteran...for the kids. Left on the porch anonymously is best.

The only foreseeable obstacle is how do we verify they are veterans besides a short series of questions? I guess you could ask any police officer where all the homeless vets are located...Again, post your ideas, suggestions, and food deeds as you do them. Let's make this less about giving to those with and give to those without...

I'm looking for a commitment, so please pick which good deed you will do.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 26 at 2014 1:21 AM

2014-11-26T01:21:31-05:00

I love the way you think!

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Nov 26 at 2014 1:34 AM

2014-11-26T01:34:00-05:00

Working the problem for a long term solution. A Veteran centric non-profit organization that can work with community partners and the VA to construct a long term housing option to get a veteran a bed they can count on and a door they can lock for up to two years while they get back on their feet. Access to VA and Medicaid social assistance and counseling to get drug and alcohol free. Consistent access to volunteers that know how to get them additional resources, not just while they are getting better, but after their program ends.

Advantages are, it is a non-profit and bad apples in the program go away when they need to go away, they aren't protected by government employee unions and/or contracts. When the need goes away, the organization goes away. It uses the good will of the community to succeed, showing the veterans that they are wanted and that the community is there to help.

We want to be able to help. I understand that. But we need to start thinking about the issue strategically. We can't flit from one battle to the next, chasing an elusive enemy and think we are winning as our resources slowly dwindle. There needs to be a network that works together. Rally points for veterans to regroup after the battle is over, cross load, network, maintenance, first aid, food, shelter... and above all, get a proper debrief before moving on to the next frontier.