What other ways do you Veterans use to find and connect with other Veterans?

2024-05-15T12:52:28-04:00

I'm not just talking about online. I mean in person and connecting with people. Just throwing this out there since so many of us live in urban, suburban and rural areas and they all present challenges.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2024 1:53 PM

2024-05-15T13:53:33-04:00

I see quite a few Veterans connect at the local VA clinics. Any of the VSOs as well (barring any internal strife in those VSOs).

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2024 2:01 PM

2024-05-15T14:01:55-04:00

SSG Carlos Madden I like to talk to other veterans at the Portland and Vancouver VA campuses. Memorial Day and Veteran's Day are also good occasions to meet other veterans. I especially like to talk to other Vietnam Veterans.

Response by SGT Scott Fowler made May 15 at 2024 5:34 PM

2024-05-15T17:34:15-04:00

I find being a member of Legions, VFW, NCOA are wonderful sources to connect with other fellow veterans in person as well as online. They all have alot of local events you can participate in.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made May 15 at 2024 8:47 PM

2024-05-15T20:47:09-04:00

The VFW (or American Legion, etc...) is a solid first step. They may not have what someone is looking for, but they likely have a connection to someone or some organization that does! And in my case, the best cheap breakfast around. :-)

A variation on that is pretty much any fraternal organization in the area. It will likely have a higher than average population of veterans, as well as service programs focused on veterans. My Elks lodge, for instance, has historically conducted visits, held bingo nights, etc. for the local Soldier's home, among other activities. Again, even if the fraternal org isn't your cuppa, there's an excellent chance that they know somebody who knows somebody.

Response by SPC Robert Hendrickson made May 16 at 2024 12:06 AM

2024-05-16T00:06:42-04:00

The best way to connect with fellow veterans/soldiers/sailors/marines/coast guard members is to remember who had an impression on you and who helped you/us/me.
For example, a fellow soldier remembered me when i connected with him via Facebook and vet friends media sites ... i no longer have those two sites, but I still connect with that man/veteran about once a month. He remembers me as "the bicycle man". why? I had a bicycle, and rode it all over in the district i was in when I was in W. Germany near Dortmund, Soest, Werl, Munster, etc.
That is one of the best ways to stay connected, or have the phone number(s) &/or email to stay up on the news of each other's encouraging, humorous events.
What man says is impossible, let God make it POSSIBLE ... Amen?
Maybe even try the D. A. V. magazines &/or the other media sites to keep each other encouraged.
Just don't get hacked thru false misgivings abt being able to connect with the wrong people. ... know b4 you go.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2024 11:21 AM

2024-05-16T11:21:29-04:00

Fellow veterans at work, Facebook, instagram, together we served etc. Also through MWR like RV camping, lakes or Hale Koa Hotel in Hawaii. And of course you can meet other veterans at the VFW, DAV, American Legion and VA hospital/clinics.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2024 9:37 AM

2024-05-30T09:37:04-04:00

That is a great question. I live in a rural part of New Mexico, so I don't have a lot of resources near me. We do have a VFW and American Legion, but most of the people there are a lot older than me. Trying to find other vets to connect with is difficult, and more specifically, trying to find other vets with PTSD is next to impossible. I would love to hear any advice on how to find other vets. I don't use social media, as I refuse to be a part of the collective.

Response by Maj Irma Groot made May 30 at 2024 11:45 AM

2024-05-30T11:45:02-04:00

Join one of the Veteran associations, volunteer at the VA Hospital or in one of the Veteran State homes. The Phoenix one is on the same campus. Volunteer with St Vincent de Paul and meet homeless veterans. Volunteer with the USO at airports or where they need you. Volunteer with Veteran service dog organizations who get veterans emotional support dogs or service dogs, find an older veteran in your neighborhood and see if you
Can take him food or other shopping.

Response by SP5 Anthony Tuttle made Jun 3 at 2024 8:31 PM

2024-06-03T20:31:18-04:00

The VA put out a newsletter that had a new app in it called inner world. Any veterans signing up for the free membership we're getting an automatic upgrade to premium when they attended one of the online veterans support meetings. They have sessions about depression and anxiety chat sessions, games, and places to just meet and visit with other veterans from around the world. Just go to "inner.world" on your pc. If you click on where it says login you can create an account then download the app, which works on pc tablet or phone and check it out.
After you get in and get used to it, it's a great place to get a bunch of people together to talk and visit. They have lots of different and interesting worlds where you can meet up and visit.

Response by SFC Jo Ann Klawitter made Feb 5 at 2025 4:12 PM

2025-02-05T16:12:02-05:00

I have exhausted every way to find my friend that I was in the service with in Fort Meade, Maryland, but no luck
I did find him on Facebook, but did not connect because I am not text savvy