Local community support is a critical need for our Veterans

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Four years ago we form a local veterans group called Warriors to Washington. The mission was to reach out to Post 911 veterans. We take a group to DC every year as a way of showing appreciation for serving their county. We reach out with two other events to build a stronger veteran community. These are tough times for our veterans and local group can assist where bigger programs fall short.

I wholeheartedly concur with you COL Mikel J. Burroughs. From counseling through home repair and medical service, the people, businesses and service of local communities are much more likely to care about the veterans in their midst than the bureaucracy in Washington, DC.
Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and other places of worship can offer solace and real help to those who share that faith.
Neighbors helping neighbors has been part of the fabric of this nation for a long time. While social media reliance has diminished real interpersonal contact, in many places people really do care about their neighbors and neighborhood.
To become eligible for VA assistance, veterans need to have their military-service status confirmed by the VA. The type of discharge received is important and medical issues that have been documents are crucial for VA disability rating.
There are many local Veteran Service Organizations which are ready, willing and able to help veterans navigate the labyrinth of VA regulatory stuff: American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars arte three great VSOs among others.
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL TSgt Joe C. LTC Stephen C. Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) SFC William Farrell SSgt (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) SGT Forrest Stewart SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Tom Brown SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt Robert Marx SGT Robert George PO2 Ed C.

Spot on! Communication is Key for the vet in the community especially with mental challenges. Many Police Departments are becoming familiar with decompressing at the scene. But there is so much work to do. It begins with us in our own communities to battle that battle for them. Allowing them time to heal. I am lucky I have a local PD that is aware of most of the vets in my community that have these challenges caused by war. Most do not enter the legal system, but are diverted to the Veteran court if they get that far. The Police will ask "are you a veteran", then go directly to support services. But in the cases of extreme violence, The first thing the Judge asks now is "ARE YOU A VETERAN", if they answer yes, the Judge states," Thank you for your service, officer can you please escort our veteran to the veterans court." In the Veterans Court, all services required are tapped into, the vet is assisted and followed. This Vet has one point of contact for all services required in a crisis that they can once again tapped into for support. It needs more work I admit, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.