What are some AWESOME ways to individually show care for aging Veterans?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 16:40:01 -0400

Outside of governmental programs, what are some awesome ideas for showing personal care to aging or disabled Veterans ? I'm thinking spefically thinking of WWII, Korea and Vietnam Vets.

Response by SGT Nia Chiaraluce made Apr 23 at 2015 4:44 PM

SGT Nia Chiaraluce — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 16:44:51 -0400

Personally Sir I volunteer when ever possible. I wish the BOSS program opened up more of their volunteering aspects to married soldiers as well, because at these events you get to work hand in hand with them. I also stay active in my church. I exued my thanks at any and all military formals. Caring through gestures.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 4:47 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 16:47:03 -0400

Just listen to them.....don't judge them.....don't be condescending......don't try to "out-do" their "war-stories"........just listen........it means more than you know.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 4:47 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 16:47:17 -0400

I pursued my nursing degree, Sir (BSN).

Withstanding a very long story, I worked in manufacturing for 3 years, but, recently, I decided to get back into nursing.

The opportunities to interface with older veterans was enormous--many of them facing very challenging conditions, at the end stages of their life.

Throughout nursing school, no other student--well, because noone else in my class had served--was able to relate to those particular 'patients' on a different level, like that, veteran-to-veteran.

It can get messy sometimes, but, if anyone is ever interested, I'd definitely recommend leveraging your GI Bill/TA to go back to nursing school. My father will be turning 50 soon, and just went back and got his nursing degree.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 23 at 2015 5:15 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 17:15:46 -0400

Spend time with them, they are a National Treasure and they want to share their wealth of knowledge with us. Spend the time and listen.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 23 at 2015 6:34 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 18:34:27 -0400

I go to geriatrics in the VA and play like trivial pursuit with them. One old veteran with gray hair and mumbles so you cant understand him, but he knows all the answers to trivial pursuit.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2015 7:25 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 07:25:05 -0400

Going to our local Huddle House for breakfast on either Saturday or Sunday morning is normal routine for us. We have high number of retired Veterans here in the Fort Stewart/Hinesville, GA area and the Huddle House is also an early morning routine for some of them. We have come to know them due being there at the same time, license plates, decals, hats, patches on jackets, etc. Most are from the VN era and a few are Korean War Vets. Everyone knows each other by first name, and even though I'm 60, for me, I still call them Mr. Bill, Mr. Steve, etc out of respect of their being older then me.

Everyone knows the waitresses and cooks by sight and name; making it a more enjoyable environment to kick off the day. I don't do it all the time, but at least once a month as we're paying to leave or before we sit down , I let the waitress know, that my wife and I are paying for their breakfast, but she does not let them know who did it and tell them when they ask, the person said "I can only say, the person said to tell you Thank you for your service!"
Some mornings we are also at the table with them, when Lisa tells them, so they have no Idea who is doing it. It's enjoyable to sit around the table when they (we) look around for who it might done it and their appreciation for it. It will at times lead to talks about experiences about their return to the US, in which they received a lot of the opposite.

They continue to wonder and talk about it, but we'll never tell.

Response by 1SG Michael Bonnett made Apr 25 at 2015 12:06 AM

1SG Michael Bonnett — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 00:06:59 -0400

Spend time with them.

Honor those who have passed on.

The company I work for now knows never to bother me on Memorial or Veterans Day. I leave my cell at home on those days and visit old friends, some still with us, some not.

Do the same.

Response by SGT Nel Despradel made Apr 28 at 2015 12:41 PM

SGT Nel Despradel — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 12:41:25 -0400

Volunteer some time in a VA home. Sit down and talk to them. A lot of them do not have family or friends around your visit will help them a lot. Bring the whole family, made this a family activity. Vets in VA homes will really be happy to see you.

Response by PO2 David Gustafson made Apr 28 at 2015 12:48 PM

PO2 David Gustafson — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 12:48:48 -0400

In Minnesota, we seem to do a lot of the "pay it forward" stuff like meals, groceries and such called "The drive through difference". I meet weekly for a book club at the local restaurant and if I see a VET ball cap or an indication of past service, I pay for their meal without them knowing and leave a simple note for them with the manager. The note says something similar to this: Thank you for your service and remembering the fallen, this meal is on me for taking it all on you. AMS-PO2, USN.

Someone did that for me after I got out in '92 to say thanks, I still tear up remembering that day.

There is no shame in tears, they remind us of how quickly it all can change.

Response by CPL Bryan Claeys made Apr 28 at 2015 2:15 PM

CPL Bryan Claeys — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 14:15:52 -0400

I have a friend that I met at the local American Legion, he's a Vietnam veteran and recently was hospitalized for a few weeks and since then has been kind of down and not really looking forward to anything, so I asked him to be my best man this summer. It's not much but it has given him something to look forward to...

Response by MSgt Raymond Hickey made Apr 28 at 2015 4:25 PM

MSgt Raymond Hickey — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:25:23 -0400

Say Thank You...respect us...acknowledge us for what we did...understand that we paved the way for today's Military...understand that what we did, Nam, cold war, Grenada, Panama, Central America or wherever...just remember that we were cold, scared, heat exhausted, that we were lonely, that we bled and that we cried...but mostly that we served the same as you are.

Response by Lt Col Anders Bergmann made Apr 28 at 2015 6:28 PM

Lt Col Anders Bergmann — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 18:28:08 -0400

Honor Flight...that's one incredible way to show support.

Response by SN Gs Crable Sr. made Apr 28 at 2015 6:47 PM

SN Gs Crable Sr. — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 18:47:09 -0400

One way is to help them stay employed...work keeps our brains agile, and gives one a sense of purpose again.
Help me build the veterans bus. directory. $100 = 12mos listing. (Ad fees help pay this home-based, health-challenged veteran's salary.) Contact me at [login to see] or list your business now at: http://4vets.biz/signup/greg

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 28 at 2015 6:57 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 18:57:56 -0400

When I visit the VA pharmacy I get the opportunity to talk to veterans, many of them much older. They are a cool and funny lot as I strike up conversations "war stories". I talked to a Supply SGT who was at Normandy told him I bet the supplies were in shambles and piling up. He grinned and almost apologized he was not in the first wave. I am sure he was harboring some guilt, but I told him it does not matter. He helped us win the war. In fact as I write this, many veterans have told me they were not in combat as if that is a guilt they had. It does not matter, you served your country!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 6:59 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 18:59:36 -0400

This rocks! I love it. He was a young man once, virile and rugged and now aging. Guys like him deserve a hug and more.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 28 at 2015 7:17 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 19:17:04 -0400

You make money by buying their lunch.

Response by SSG Timothy McCoy made Apr 28 at 2015 7:20 PM

SSG Timothy McCoy — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 19:20:41 -0400

I kiss the forehead and "buff" the liver spot on top of the recessed or non-hairline of my WWII Marine, and tell him I love him everyday.
I set out his meds and fill up his water mug to keep him hydrated. Take him fishing when the weather is good or listen to the weather through his joints when it is not.
Listen to the same stories and comparisons over and over.
Tease him about being an "Ocean-Going-Bell-Hop" or any of the myriad of other "Terms of Endearment" that only two different services can level at each other. Just as we do here.
I am speaking of my 92 year old WWII South Pacific "Amphib driver" dad.
As he and so many others have done, came home went to work making a living and raising a family. Active in church, Boy and Girl Scouts, 4H, Kansas Hunting Safety Instructor and being a High school "shop" teacher for 34 years .
Best of all he SHOWED my brother and me how to be a Hunter and fishermen, Eagle Scouts, a husband and father and best of all how to be a Solider. Because of my father, I am here, and a retired old grandpa trying to teach my granddaughter everything my father taught me.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Apr 29 at 2015 12:12 AM

Maj Kim Patterson — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 00:12:32 -0400

I always have a personal conversation with veterans from different eras every time I go to the VA. I am a pick up only for meds (had a problem with interception) so this always gives me time to visit. About 7 years ago, I met "Bill" who invited me to his 90th birthday. He'd served in WWII. Of course I went. Every year since, we have celebrated our birthdays with our own little festivities. In the course of our early conversation, we were talking about being in the military and I mentioned I had been a Major. For ever after, he never refers to me by name; always "The Major" respectfully. One of the surprises he took great joy in was getting me a birthday cake with the Air Force Emblem. His family adopted me. His body is failing but his mind is still sharp so we tell jokes and stories and he'll call out to of the blue as do I. When he is in the hospital, I always make sure to visit, even when the weatherman says there are tornados in the area. Might as well be with friends! I had some other special friends that I always made a point to visit in the hospice unit at the VA. I'm not sure who was brightening whose day more.

Response by 2ndLt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 7:58 AM

2ndLt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 07:58:44 -0400

Please read this article:

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-05-03/news/bs-md-honor-salute-20140503_1_veterans-day-final-salute-midshipmen

I hope this program spreads to hospice organizations across the country!

This is an outstanding way to thank these aging veterans who sacrificed so much.

Naval Academy students give aging veterans a final salute

Richard Harryman was wearing a crisp blue shirt for the occasion, and his hospital bed was in the living room. There were punch and cookies on a table in the hall, and family and friends were...

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 10:12 AM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 10:12:08 -0400

I agree with many of the responses I have read so far. It's my opinion that just spending time with our vets means a lot. Just LISTEN!!!! Let them know they still matter. Remember that the military changes. I really notice this to be true when I talk to older vets. Some of there terminology and lingo is so much different from today. Technology changes is part of it but military structure, rates/MOS are different as well. I find it fascinating and sometimes wonder if the some of the changes were for the better. Then there are things that are the same no matter when you were served and man can you see their faces light up when you hit on one of those topics. Remember that no matter how bad we may think things are now, they had it worse. It's better because they made it that way. Chow's better, ask a vet about life before MREs. Living conditions are better, A/C and heat on ships and in tents, base housing 100 times better then it was in their day, what about Email, the internet, facebook, Skype... on a ship or in the field. I never fathomed these things when I first came in. back then it was waiting in line for a phone when you pulled in port and letters and while out to sea. and the list goes on. Hopefully we are making things even better for those who will follow us. We are paving the way for equality issues, racism and sexism are better then they were when I first came in. We are addressing issues like sexual assault, spouse abuse, suicide, PTSD and the list goes on. I think we can do more for our vets. One suggestion is to go back to your commands and talk to your leadership and tell them you want to do something at the command level. Come up with a way to do something for a vet or a group of vets. Do something for DAV, the VFW or American Legion. Do something to show you care. Remember one day "THOSE GUYS" will be "US". How will you want to be treated? Will someone let you know you still matter? For some of us that time is just weeks away.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 3:35 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 15:35:31 -0400

Listen to their stories, and give em what they never got, a Thank you.