VetServe 2022: Share Your Service Success Stories Below!

I'm a veteran, having served 24 years in the U.S. Army including service in Vietnam. But that was a long, long time ago. Now as a fully retired veteran of 78, I am a volunteer with a hospice organization, providing friendly visits to fellow veterans who are under the care of the hospice. For some of those that I have met, having a chance at the end of their lives to relate their service experience to a fellow veteran seems to meet a real need. For me, it is a humbling experience to be helping fellow veterans, some of whom are younger than I am but facing the ultimate challenge.

I volunteer with the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (and also ARC Disaster) and we welcome all!

Good post.

I volunteer with Westwood Baptist Church University Center -Hot meals Ministry , Covid-19 Food boxes and veggies

I have had the privilege and honor to be a Veteran volunteer with Heartland Hospice. As a Veteran, i am able to connect with fellow Veteran patients in hospice care in a unique way that nurses, cate givers, and even family members are not. Some Veterans harbor deep emotional scars from their service(especially Vietnam Veterans) that they have refused to share or talk about. When they see or acknowledge that i also a Veteran, they start to share and talk about their military service. There are few who feel hopeless and shame because of the the things they have done or didn’t do. As they share their experiences with me, I ensure they know that i do not judge them foe their actions/inaction’s and that our our country, fellow Veterans, and I will forever be grateful for their service to our country. If they are religious, i will pray with them so they can make their peace with God and asked then to save a drink for me when I join them on the other side.
As a volunteer, i am also a bridge between the military and family members sharing a side of the Veteran family members never knew about. As such, i have often been invited to attend end of life services where I dutifully give the deceased Veteran his/her final salute. Words can not describe how much this simple gesture of respect means the Veteran’s family and friends. I strongly encourage all my fellow Veterans to volunteer to meet with our fellow brothers and sisters in arms in hospice care. We took an oath to leave no one behind and I that oath did not end when you took off your uniform.

https://balance.promedicaseniorcare.org/blog-posts/heartland-hospice-volunteer-salutes-veteran-patient-at-end-of-life/

Background: I volunteered to be an enlisted Combat Engineer and turned in my draft card.
1. I am an Army retired veteran who served as an enlisted combat engineer [12B] from November 1974 through June 1976, a USMA West Point Cadet June 1976 through May 1980]; Infantry officer from July 1980 through August 1989. In August 1989, I picked up the additional skill identifier of 49 Operations Research Systems Analysis [ORSA]. I served as an ORSA primarily from August 1989 through May 2008. I used my combat arms training and experience as I worked in strategic analysis and strategic planning assignments. I served as a Regular Army officer from May 1980 through October 1, 1992. I volunteered for a USAR commission on October 2, 1992. I was mobilized in November 2001 and was demobilized in May 2004.
2. I have volunteered my time, talents and treasure in many ways over the past few decades.
a. I have greeted voters at polling stations independent of who they were voting for and did my best to bid farewell to each one as they left.
b. I have volunteered in church to serve as an usher/greeter since 1988 and as a teacher of pre-school children from 1990 through 2002.

FYI MCPO Hilary Kunz SrA Ronald Moore Capt Brandon Charters CPL Patrick Rasmussen Col (Join to see) CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw SFC Bernard WalkoMAJ Bob MiyagishimaSPC Lyle Montgomery MSgt Dale JohnsonSGT Mary G. CPL Douglas Chrysler SSgt Kelly D. PO3 Edward Riddle Sgt (Join to see) CWO4 Terrence Clark Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SPC Michael Terrell SPC Woody Bullard

Retired in January and began my volunteer journey shortly after. Habitat ReStore at least 1 day a week and since I'll be eligible for Medicare soon and started researching my options, I decided to volunteer with HI SHIP, assisting others in the same confusing situation. I'm still training and it's pretty intense, but I can understand why so much training is needed after trying to figure out my own options. They're a nationwide organization, so if you have questions, I highly recommend contacting your local volunteers.

For the past 12 years I have been a member of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), currently serving as the WA State Chair, which is a DoD program. Our mission is to inform employers of the rights provided to National Guard and Reservists through the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment ACT (USERRA) that work for them by providing briefings and presenting awards to supervisors and managers that are supportive of their Guard and Reserve service members which award(s) are based on nominations from a service member. Additionally, the highest award that an employer may receive is also based on a service member employee nomination for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award which is received by 15 employers, 5 small, 5 large, and 5 public service employers. In 2022 there were about 2,700 nominations and the recipients will be announced later this year. The large majority of ESGR volunteers are veterans both career and non-career. However, it is not necessary to be a veteran to be an ESGR volunteer since we also need those who are employed and want to give back.

In addition to employer brief's, we conduct unit briefs, and through the Ombudsman program our volunteers work with employers and service members to assist in resolving employment issues that arise. We do not take the side of either party but explain what the law requires and once the information is understood in 74% of the time the situation is resolved in the service member's favor.
This is a great opportunity to give back and although it is not veteran centric it does support those who are currently serving in the Guard and Reserve forces. The members of the reserve components make up about 45% of our military forces and since 9/11 have been deployed on a regular basis all over the world. This is no longer the "Weekend Warriors" of the past.
If interested, please go to ESGR.mil and use the state committee tab to find your state and make contact if interested in becoming an ESGR member.

Volunteer assisting Veterans through the VFW Post here in Enterprise writing the script and being the Master of Ceremony for the City Veterans Day Parade, the 9-11 ceremony and other events in the community. With the United States Warrant Officer Association - Above the Best Chapter in community projects, fundraisers, Wreaths Across America and roadside cleanup, the Army Aviation Association of America with projects and awards to assist the community and BOSS programs on Fort Rucker, also do some healing and sharing of Army Aviation History through a flying UH-1H outfit called Friends of Army Aviation where we fly the communities and veterans to give closure and/or and education on the Warhorse known as the Huey. Sharing the legacy of the Army and Aviation, also volunteer for the US Army Aviation Museum as a board member and volunteer. Lastly I have been painting and volunteering for the Foundation for Hospital Art out of Atlanta as a paintfest volunteer and board member for more than 20 years, great mission delivering art worldwide. Think I could use a few more to do as I've recently retired but still working.

I'd like to recognize TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan and Capt Craig Bryan for their STRIVE program which has seen dramatic mental health outcomes from the military community. It's been an honor working with them and their team through the years.
https://medicine.osu.edu/departments/psychiatry-and-behavioral-health/strive