Have Veteran charities caused collateral damage: Effects of the Current Narrative on Veterans?

2015-10-05T13:37:29-04:00

Have Veteran charities caused collateral damage: Effects of the Current Narrative on Veterans?

Interesting article RP Members - what are you thoughts and what are your suggestions for fixing it?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-aiello/collateral-damage-effects_b_8226542.html?utm_hp_ref=department-of-veterans-affairs

During a recent Veteran's charity fundraising gala, much like the hundreds of galas that occur year round - something significant happened...

At a point in the show the emcee asked all attendees from a certain group of Veterans in the audience to stand and be recognized.... Not a single person stood in spite of their presence.

Now you may think of this as an isolated occurrence but I see it as a culmination of events that have been building for some time now.

It represents a manifesto on behalf of Veterans' that they may no longer want to be used as "props." Very few Veterans consider themselves a charity case and increasingly Veterans have come to realize that the narrative around "helping" Veterans may actually be hurting Veterans by pervading a negative perception.

Collateral Damage: Effects of the Current Narrative on Veterans

During a recent Veteran's charity fundraising gala, much like the hundreds of galas that occur year round, something significant happened: At a point in the show the emcee asked all attendees from a certain group of Veterans in the audience to stand and be recognized...not a single person stood in spite of their presence.

Response by SPC Nick Lai made Oct 5 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-10-05T13:38:26-04:00

Thank you sir for the article.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Oct 5 at 2015 1:43 PM

2015-10-05T13:43:33-04:00

Changing the look towards Veterans being a "charity" to being a useful resource has been on myself and several others here in Pittsburgh have been fighting for awhile now. When I travel to Nashville at the end of the month, my remarks center around this very issue. For 10+ years, certain organizations have paraded Veterans across TV and such as a way to show them as being needy. I don't think any of us would classify ourselves as "needy". In my remarks I've written for this trip to Nashville, I make the statement that Veterans are not looking for a hand out, rather we are just looking for people to ALONG side us rather than try to pull us along. For me, there is a huge difference between working along side a Veteran and offering a handout. Sure, we need some help in some areas but when given the chance to showcase their talents, Veterans can outperform some people expectations.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 5 at 2015 1:50 PM

2015-10-05T13:50:08-04:00

I suspect that some charities that are focused on Veterans have caused collateral damage because of their fundraising tactics and in some cases because they worked against each other COL Mikel J. Burroughs. Much of the narrative right now is focused on veterans with PTSD, veterans who are homeless, veterans with missing limbs and broken marriages, etc. and other troubled groups of veterans.
Each veteran is an individual who was part of one or more military services and may well identify with a military service or more likely with the specific individuals who they served with.
It seem that the situation has flipped on its head since the waning years of the Vietnam War when service members were encouraged by society to renounce the military. Now there are some very good efforts to help veterans from within the government and in the not-for-profit community such as DAV, VFW, American Legion, etc.
Unfortunately at the other end of the spectrum, there are other organizations out to draw attention to themselves.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 5 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-10-05T14:01:35-04:00

I will like to mention fake organizations make me leery of donating.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Oct 5 at 2015 2:02 PM

2015-10-05T14:02:41-04:00

It's true that we were all strong enough at one point to offer to defend our country with our life. And while doing so, yes - some of us get busted up and need a little help. But we can be strong again and that is the message that is often lost. Read just about any article on vets and it will say something about PTSD - and - it's not fair. Not every vet has PTSD and many who HAVE had it no longer do - but so many think that it will ruin your life - it doesn't have too. There is a GREAT inspirational story in the bible (John, Cpt 9) to help realize that things happen for a reason - and it's likely not the reason we often think! Everyone thought then as most do now - why did this happen? what did he do wrong? And the truth is “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him." Once you get passed that, you can be stronger than ever! The term "Veteran Charities" is part of the problem in and of itself!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 2:37 PM

2015-10-05T14:37:09-04:00

interesting ...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 2:49 PM

2015-10-05T14:49:44-04:00

This discussion evokes some difficult subject matter; different members have different experiences...and different needs. When we become a "combined" community, the perceptions can be negative.

I used to feel great pride at being recognized as a "veteran"...over the last several years, no so much. Why? I haven't worn the uniform in more than four years..."thanking me for my service" when I'm so far removed from the current military reality seems insincere and worse, belittling to those who are still serving.

Also, there seems to be a growing climate of dis-unity among "us"...Maybe some will disagree, but when meeting younger service members, I sometimes feel like there is a "Yeah, great story ...but I got it, ok" attitude. I simultaneously feel peeved that I'm being dismissed by someone I'm trying to advise from my own "lessons learned"...and ashamed, because they obviously do have some different realities, and perhaps feel I'm "horning in", when my time is long past.

In all reality-it is, and they're probably right.

Finally, I don't want to dismiss or take away from the very real struggles, real veterans are facing because of PTSD in ANY way. Frankly, the statistics are alarming and speak to greater challenges to come. However, if you're one of the fortunate ones NOT to be affected by it...not fighting with the ineptitude of the VA to get help...not confronting the risks associated, there's a whole new "culture" aspect you don't "get". Under some circumstances, I feel like I would be taking something away from these vets still fighting an inner war...I mean, who am I to be recognized?

Then, there is the obvious fact that if I don't have PTSD...I must not have been deeply enough involved to really deserve recognition.

I don't ever want to be somewhere and "singled out" for my service...when there may be guys or gals around who are fighting just to survive. With nearly 3 million of us from OEF/OIF alone, perhaps it's no longer "enough" that you wore a uniform. Perhaps today, there is more of a divide, and more complex waters to negotiate when in company.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Oct 5 at 2015 2:50 PM

2015-10-05T14:50:11-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Sir whenever I am at an event and they ask veterans to stand, I never do. What I have done is good enough for me and do not feel the need for recognition.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 5 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-10-05T14:54:07-04:00

Great post COL Mikel J. Burroughs. Spot on. I was expecting much more pandering during the clown show (presidential bids). We are very important the year before an election but quickly forgotten. Too many of these 'charities' are making money hand over fist in the name of veterans but primarily lining the pockets of the CEO's. Some of them are making mid 6 figures+ Not sure that is in the best interest for helping OTHERS.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 5 at 2015 4:42 PM

2015-10-05T16:42:55-04:00

I have a bit of a different take. The country is near the saturation point of "Wounded-Care Box-PTSD-Homeless-Hungry" and I'm in the sometimes do and sometimes don't category. Many of these organizations have a high service to "overhead" ratio; few don't. They beat out the others in the United Way list by a bunch except for Salvation Army and a few others. I'm starting to see the general public act more perfunctory vs. appreciative. It's like the sermon at church is wearing thin. As more time goes on and we don't win anything with sacrifices coming under more questioning, I'd anticipate a point where backlashes will occur. It's a predictable repetitive thing in history. I remember the "Baby Killer" 'Nam days very well as we'd hide ourselves getting away from the airports.

Response by SPC Chris Dorsey made Oct 5 at 2015 6:19 PM

2015-10-05T18:19:46-04:00

There is plenty of need out there for organizations to help veterans. I have been thrown in the middle of this for a few reasons. My take is that there are a few organizations that use certain groups of veterans as props. Just a media marketing ploy. It works we can see that from the donations they bring in. In the end where does all that money go? We could all jump down different rabbit holes on that one and go on forever. Because of these organizations veterans are looked at in a "Awe poor thing light" and many of us while we have our struggles don't want the pity. We want to work our issues out but the civilian world complicates that.
There are groups out there that are helping veterans build themselves up and not be lost like a speck of dust in the universe. They are not out to make a million just to help. My advise is to seek out organizations. Do your research on them and get involved.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 6 at 2015 10:46 AM

2015-10-06T10:46:58-04:00

These feelings as discussed in the article seem somewhat related to why more vets are shying away from the perfunctory "thank you for your service" compliments. That said, that's just an impression I have, I can't really make a link between the two.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 6 at 2015 10:52 AM

2015-10-06T10:52:19-04:00

Before making charitable contribution to anyone, check out their performance through http://www.charitynavigator.org/ If the charity in question returns less than 25% (which isn't great), they are in it for the cash. Being a non-profit means that they don't have shareholders, but can sure take care of their employees.

Charity Navigator - Your Guide To Intelligent Giving | Home

Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator, provides free ratings of the Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency of thousands of charities. We are the individual donor's first source for unbiased news and information on philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, wise giving, donating money, charitable donations, and charity ratings.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 7 at 2015 12:05 AM

2015-10-07T00:05:49-04:00

There are groups such as the Wounded Warrior Project, that use images of injured and suffering veterans. At the same time, though, WWP has been able to get benefits for veterans that the VA wouldn't budge on, for various reasons, when the benefits WERE in fact deserved...

Response by SPC Mathew Brady made Oct 8 at 2015 12:20 PM

2015-10-08T12:20:40-04:00

I couldn't agree with you more, as a pending non profit, a charity really should be about empowering veterans not using their stories for fundraising. Do I believe suicides need to be stopped? Yes!! But isn't that part of empowering the veteran to get their life back through the charity like with us on the farm and helping them get into farming on their own if they wish to. If not then just helping them either employment and empowerment that their not alone but we can all accomplish amazing things together. Too many charities worry more about dollar signs than the message they are sending. Empower the vets, guide them and we'll see a major change in many areas